LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 
^^^^- E2Lb2L 

Shelf -3 I 

PRESENTED BY ' Vv'^ S"^ ; 

^_,,^UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 




UOHHllT PEliKlNS BROWN, 

PliKblDENT. 



MANUAL OF THE RHODE 
ISLAND SOCIETY OF THE 
SONS OF THE AMERICAN 
REVOLUTION ©:^ (si^:^ (5i5^ (Sj^ (5^ 



For the Years from Eio^hteen Hun- 
i dred and Ninety Three to Eighteen 
Hundred and Ninety Nine both 
inclusive. Illustrated with many 
Portraits and Photographs of His- 
toric Interest gij^ gij:^^ gi^ (si^ (sij:^ (si;:^ 



Compiled and Edited by 
Edward Field 

Historian of the Society 

Committee on Publication 



And published pursuant to a vote of 
the Society by the Board of Mana- 
gers, and printed at the printing house 
of E. L. Freeman & Sons, at Central 
Falls, in the State of Rhode Island 

A. D. MDCCCC 



Vv^ v^ \^_ 






58105 



D 



-v 



i> 






EDITOirS NOTE. 



T 



ITK ^Manual of tlie Eliode Island Society of tlie Sons of 
tlie American Revolution is published pursuant to the 
following vote of the Society passed February 22, ISiilt : 



" Besolred, That the Board of Managers be requested to publish, 
as soon as possible, a Year Book, containnig the Constitution and 
By-Laws of the National Society, the Charter and By-Laws of our 
State Society, and such other matters as may be deemed useful for 
tlie hiformation of the Society." 

On April lit, 1S!)1), the undersigned was appointed a Committee 
on Publication, and immediately commenced the preparation of the 
volume herewith submittted. 

In publishing this, the second of the Society's ^lanuaLs, it has 
been the intention of the Board of Managers to make it a com- 
plete history of the Society suice the last Manual was issued m 
1892, and therefore includes all the addresses and reports of its 
officers and such other proceedings as were necessary to make a 
complete record for the period covered. In preparing the abstracts 
of the services of our Revolutionary sires in the Struggle for Amer- 
ican Independence, I have taken great pahis to make such record 
comi)lete ; but on account of the great number of dates and the 
various methods by which these records are presented in the orig- 
inal applications I shall be agreeably surprised if there are no 
errors. 

I hope that the result of my labors in preparhig this volume 
will be acceptable to the Society, and that any omissions that 
may have been made will be overlooked. 

I desire to express my appreciation of the support and coiipera- 
tion of the Board of Managers and of the kind assistance which has 
been rendered me by Robert P. Brown, President ; Christopher 
Rhodes, Secretary ; Arthur P. Sumner, Treasurer ; and Isaac C. 
Greene, Registrar. 

EDWARD FIELD, 

Comivittee on Puhliration, 



CONTENTS, 



PAGE 

Bristol Chapter, No. 1, Rhode Island Society of the Sons of 

the American Revolution 298 

By-Laws of the Rhode Island Society of the Sons of the Amer- 
ican Revolution 17 

Chai'ter of the Riiode Island Society of the Sons of the Amer- 
ican Revolution 15 

Constitution and By-Laws of the National Society of the Sons 

of the American Revolution IS 

Historical Address — 

"Rhode Island's Participation in the New England Cam- 
paign of 1775-1781," by William E. Foster 137 

"Events Preceding the Outbreak of the Revolution," by 

Alfred Stone 157 

" Revolutionary Landmarks," by Alfred Stone 179 

" Which is the Oldest American Constitution ? " by Amasa 

M. Eaton 192 

"Bristol in Revolutionary Days," by Prof. Wilfred II. 

Munro 224 

"Concurrent Opinion of the American Revolution," by 

Prof. Wilfred H. Munro 240 

" Colonel Israel Angell," by Robert P. Brown 241 

" Isaac Barker's Signal," by Edward Field 264 

"A Night at Sabin's Inn," by Edward Field 287 

List of Members of the Rhode Island Society of the Sons of the 

American Revolution 30 



[ vi ] 

List of Members who served in the War witli Spain 296 

( Xlicers of the Society, 18!)!)-19()0 26 

( )t1ieers of the Society since organization 27 

Memorials — 

William Warner Hoppin 300 

James Henry Eklred^e 301 

Charles Fales Ballon 304 

Edward Payson ])enison 307 

Crawford Allen 308 

Nathaniel Mowry Bradley 310 

Alfred Mason Williams 311 

Nathaniel Greene Totten 313 

William James Swinbnrne 315 

( 'hristopher Lippitt 317 

Henry ( "lay Armstrong 319 

JJaniel Bnllard Pond 321 

llobert Grenville Brown 324 

Reuben Aldridge Gnild, LL.D 326 

Names of Ancestors of Members of the Rhode Island Society 

of the Sons of the American Revolntion 42 



Poem, "Brown University in the Revolntion," Rev. Frederic 

Denison 142 

"The Neer-do-Weel," ) 

"With Clearer Sight," [• George A. Bnffnm 272 

"Nathanael Greene," ) 

" ( )nr Forefathers," George A. Buffum 292 

President's Address — 

Amasa M. Eaton 148 

Wilfred H. Mnnro 171 

Edward Field 208 

William Maxwell Greene 232 

Royal C. Taft 253 

William T. C. Ward well 274 

Kobert P. l5rown i ^'ice-President) 278 



vii ] 



Proceedings of Third Annual Meeting l:>7 



Fourth 

Fifth 

Sixtli 

Seventli 

Eighth 

Xinth 



148 
171 
20S 
232 
253 
274 



Reception and ]]anqnet in Honor of (ien. Horace Porter 201 

Report Relative to the Identity of John Waterman, who died at 

Yalley Forge 194 

Of Committee on ^Marking (Jraves of Revolutionary Sol- 
diers 218, 239, 260 

Of the Registrar 152, 217, 238, 258, 284 

Of the Secretary 150, 177. 215, 236, 256, 280 

Of the Treasurer 151, 178, 216, 237, 257, 282 



The Dooley Letter (?) 294 



LIST OF ILLl STRATIONS/ 



Robert P. IJrown. Portrait Frontispiece 

George C'orlis Nightingale. Portrait .Page 1(3 

Christopher Rhodes. Portrait " 24 

Jabez Bovven's Cartridge-Box " 50 

Certificate from Capt. John Paul Jones for Prize Money due 

Nathaniel Cooke " 58 

Ye Old Denison House, Mystic, Conn " 62 

The Home of Lieut. Ezekiel How, Jr., at Framingliam, Mass. " 64 

Lieut. Nathaniel Gove. Portrait " 72 

Esek Hopkhis, Commander-in-Chief of the American Navy. 

Portrait " 76 

Lieut. Ezekiel How, Jr. Portrait " 78 

Watch formerly belonging to Lieut. p]zekiel How, Jr " 7!» 

Commission of Capt. William Humphrey " 80 

Home of Col. Ezekiel How, "The Wayside Inn" " 88 

Major Daniel layman. Portrait " 00 

Sword belonging to Col. Ezekiel How " 06 

Home of Capt. Stephen Olney at North Providence, R. 1.. " 102 

Home of Capt. John Potter at Scituate, R. I " 104 

Commission of Lieut. John Potter " 106 

Capt. Robert Rhodes. Portrait " 108 

Home of Peter Rhodes at I'awtuxet, R. I " 110 

Homestead of Major-General Nathanael Greene at Coven- 
try, R. I " 112 

Sword belonguig to Lieut. Benjamhi Wilkhison " 127 

Home of Esek Hopkins at Providence, R. I " 132 

John Carter Brown Woods. Portrait " l;;6 

William Eaton Foster. Portrait " 140 

' The editor is under obligations to the Preston and Rounds Co , publishers of 
Field's "Revolutionary Defences in Rhode Island" and "Esek Hoplcins" and Wil- 
liams' "Under the Trade Winds," for several of the iUustrations in this volume. 



Rev. Frederic 1 )eiiis()n. Portrait Page 144 

Amasa Mason Eaton. Portrait " 148 

Alfred Stone. Portrait " 15(5 

Alonzo Williams. Portrait " 160 

Theodore Foster Tillingliast. Portrait " 168 

Wilfred Harold ]Munro. Portrait " no 

Tablet placed on the Market building at Providence " 172 

Rev. Edward Otis JJartlett. Portrait " 176 

Timothy Newell, M. J). Portrait " 184 

Fort Independence, Field's Point, Providence " 1S8 

(Jen. Horace Porter. Portrait " 200 

Edward Field. Portrait " 208 

A t'onier of IJntt's Hill Fort, Portsmonth " 212 

( )lney Arnold, II. Portrait " 216 

William ]Maxwell (Ireene. Portrait " 232 

Tablet on I'niversity Hall, Brown University, Providence. " 234 

Royal Chaphi Taft. Portrait " 2.52 

George Thomas Hart. Portrait " 2(52 

Rev. Samnel Ileber Webb. Portrait " 2(54 

(ieorge Allen Bnffnm. Portrait " 272 

William Thomas Chnrch Ward well. Portrait " 274 

Artluir Preston Snnnier. Portrait " 282 

Isaac Chace Greene. Portrait " 288 

William Wanier Hopphi. Portrait *' 300 

James Henry Eldredge, M. T). Portrait " 302 

Cliarles Fales JJallon. Portrait " 304 

Edward Payson J)enison. Portrait " 30(5 

Crawford Allen. Portrait " 308 

Nathaniel Mowry Bradley. Portrait " 310 

Alfred Mason AVilliams. Portrait " 312 

Nathaniel ( i reeiie Totten. Portrait " 314 

William James S\vinl)urne. Portrait " 316 

Christopher Lippitt. Portrait " 318 

Henry Clay Armstrong. Portrait " 320 

Daniel Bullard Pond. Portrait " 322 

Robert Grenville IJrown. Portrait " 324 

Reuben Aldridge Guild, LL.D. Portrait " 326 



INDEX OF NAMES OF MEMBERS AND AN(^EST()RS 
FROM WHOM MEMBERSHIP IS DERIVED. 



Ancestors' Navies in Italics. 



Abbot, Charles Wheatoii, Jr. . .!)s 

Ahell, Prescrrcd 42 

Adnm.'<, Ebenezer 42 

Adams, George Allen 42 

AM rich, (Uileh 42 

Allen, Crawford 112 

Allen, Diarca 4:'. 

Anthony, Edwin Perkms 71 

Angell, Fenner 4;J 

Angell, Israel 4;> 

Angell, Jessie 44 

Armstrong, Tlenry Clay 107 

Arnold, Arthur Henry 44 

Arnold, Caleb 44 

Arnold, George Carpenter, 

44, 10!), l:!4 

Arnold, George Ulric 4S 

Arnold, James 44 

Arnold, James, Jr 44 

Arnold, Joseph 44 

Arnold, Nathan 4.") 

Arnold, ( )lney 45 

Arnold, ( )lney, II 45 

Atwood, John 45 

Atwood, William Edwin 45 

Austin, Artliur Ernest 45 

Austin, Ezekiel 45 

Bahcock, Ebenezer 45 

Babcock, James 46 



Balrh, Joseph 46 

13alch, Joseph 46 

IJallou, Charles Fales 4!», (!S 

Ballon, Levi 47 

Barker, Frederick Eugene ... .47 

Barker, Isaac 47 

Barker, Robert Lewis 47 

Barnard, Charles Alonzo. .4:^), 1 02 

r>arston\ ( 'aleb 47 

Barstow, (Jeorge p]ames, 

47, (i4, 100 

liartlett, Edward Otis 47 

Bartlett, John liussell I01» 

Bartlett, Nathaniel 47 

Barton, Albert Gallathi 4s 

Barton, William 47 

Bassett, Frederick James. .86, .s7 

Bates, Albert Greene (52, l:!2 

Bates, Francis Eliot l;'.2 

Beckwith, Truman. SS, 00, 01, 112 
Bellows, Horatio Eliphalet. . . 115 

liicknell, Joshna 4S 

Bicknell, Thomas Williams. 4s, S6 

Bi)rnef/, Barnabas, 31. 1) 4S 

Bhniey, AVilliam, Jr 4S 

Bisbee, William Henry 47 

Blackington, Joel 48 

Blodgett, John Taggard, 

48, 116, 121, 125 
Blodgelt, Jonathan 48 



[ xii ] 



Tjogert, Theodore reacoek . . . .80 

Boiiicdrtli, Benjamtn 4!) 

Bosworth, Orriii Luther 49 

Bourn Augustus Osborne. .40, (!(> 

Jiouni. Steplieii 4!) 

Bowen, f'harles ^Vetter, 

50, !•;!, U-l. 180 

Bowen, Frank 50 

Bowen, Henry 50 

Boireii, IsfKir 40, 130 

Boveii, Jahez 50 

Boven, Nathdii 50 

Bowen, Richard ]Martin, 

50, 03, 112, 130 
Bowen, William ^Manuel Perez, 

51, 00 

llradford, Geonje 51 

Bradford, Henry Carpenter. . .51 

Bradford, WilUarii 51. 13o 

Bradley, Nathaniel ]Mowry. . .117 

Brai/ton, Jariies Whect'jii 52 

Broirn, Abel 52 

Brown, Ahnd 53 

Brown, Albert Frederick ..42, 54 

Browai, Arnold Cleveland 43 

Brown, Daniel Russell (52 

Broirn, EJijoh 53 

Broirn, Esek 53 

Brown, Harris Wilbur 43 

Brown, Henry Martin (i2 

Broirn, John 53 

Broirn, Kkliohis 54, 131 

Broirn, Bohert 54 

Brown, Robert (irenville.54, 131 

Brown, Robert Perkins 5:', 

Brown. AVill Edwin 42, 54. 114 

15ro\vncll, Frederick liichinond. 

55, 5,s 

liroirnidl, Jondthon 55 

liroirnell, Sj/Ires/er 55 

Brownell, Walter Simmons, 

55, 5S 
Budlong, John Clarke. 55, 03, 111 
Jhtdlon;/, S((nuicJ 55 



JiinViimi, SinnueJ. Jr 55 

Buft'um, Frederick Henry. ... 110 

Butt'um, George Allen 120 

BiKjhee, Hezel'iah 55 

Burlingham, IHram 73 

Burrough, Lewis Fairbrother.06 
Bnttiirk, John 55 

Cady, Alfred Eugene 50, 76 

('ady, Frederick Waterman, 

5(), 111 

(\id ji, Jo)Uith(iii 50 

Cady, Louis Edgar 50, 70 

Cady, William Fletcher 50 

('aider, Albert Lawton 132 

Colder, JoriK's 131 

f'd/iron, Josepli ". 57 

Carlisle, Daniel 57 

Carpenter, John 57 

Carr, Frederick Hickman 7o 

Case]/, Wanton 57 

Chare, Asa 5S 

Chace, Moses Brown 5S 

Chase, Charles Frederick 5S 

Chase, Ezra 58 

Clinrrh, Thomas 58 

Clapp, Earl 58 

Clarke, Joshua 50 

Cole, Joseph Carpenter Wheaton, 
44. 57, 50, 111, 120, 120 

Cole, Jiirho rd 50 

Cohrell, William 120 

Converse, Waldron Howard.. 113 

Cook, Ariel 50 

Cook, Charles Xourse 50 

Coo//, JVatlaudel 50 

Cooke, Annanias oo 

Cooke, Charles (;o 

Cooke, Henry William oo 

Cooke, Nicholas oo 

Coojier, Stephen (JO 

Corel/, Paris in 

Corlis, Georr/e (il 

Cranston, Benjamin (il 



[ xiii ] 



Cranston, Frank Hill (U 

(h-ani<to7i, Samuel. (il 

Cranston, William Abell c.l 

D<(</(/ett, Daniel (il 

Damon, Benjamin <)2 

Daniels, George Metcalf . .4:!, l:!2 

Danne, Frederid' KXi 

Dart, Elias (i2 

Davis, Jeffrey (^2 

Davis, Joshim ()2 

Davis, Xathaniel French sw 

Davoll, Charles Stei)hen lis 

Day, Nathaniel, Jr iVl, V.Vl 

Dean, Enos iVl 

Dennis, Arthur Wellington . .109 

Denison, Edward Payson ():! 

Denison, Frederic (>;;, 71 

Denifion, Gilhert (i:! 

Denison, Isaac 0:1 

D'Wolf, John ()3 

DeWolf, John Ilalsey 03 

DeWolf, John Wintlirop 08 

Dexter, Henry Clinton 120 

Dexter, Theodore JCverett 120 

Dyer, Anthony 04 

Dyer, Elisha 04 

Dyer, Hezekiah Anthony 04 

Eames, Daniel 04 

Eames, Samuel 04 

Easton, Frederick Willard 07 

Eaton, Amasa Mason . .54, 0.'), 79 
Eaton, Amasa Mason, Jr., 

.")4, 05, 70, 01 

Eaton. Ithanidr l;]?, 

Eaton, Noah 05 

Eaton, William Diuniell, 

54, 05, 70, 01 

Eccleston, Alvin Herbert 05 

Eccleston, (jcrsJioin (i5 

Eddy, Barnard 05 

Eddy, WWiani 00 

Eddy, William GO 



Eld red (je, James 07 

Eldredge, James Henry (i7 

Elliot, James 07 

Elliott, William Cowper 07 

Emerso)!, Ephraim (iS 

Fales, Nathaniel 08 

Fanninij, Walter OS 

Fa rnsn-orth, ^\ tnos 08 

Fanisworth, Claude Joseph. . .09 
Fanisworth, Jolni Prescott. . . .09 

Fenner, Arthur, Jr (iO 

Premier, Herbert Xicholas (iO 

Fenner, Bichard, Jr 00 

Field, Arthur Webster 00 

Field, Edward oo, 118, 12:5 

Field, Harold Crins 70 

Field, John (JO 

Fisit, Daniel 00 

Foster, Moses, Sr 70 

Foster, Timothy 70 

Foster, William Eaton. . . .70, l:!4 

Francis, Aaron 70 

Francis, Ebenezer Charles 71 

Frencli, Charles Henry 02 

Fuller, Ahraham 71 

Gallup, lieriadam 71 

(iammell, William i:',l 

(fardiner, Paris 71 

(libson, Henry Maitland 70 

(lifford, Darid 71 

(rill, OJxuliah 72 

(Uaddhig, Frederick Fillmore. .7.". 

Coff, Isaac Lewis o;5 

(foodale, Nathan 72 

Gorton, Benjamin 72 

Gore, Nathaniel 72 

Granger, William Smith 72 

Gray, Tliomas 73 

Greene, Christopher 7:> 

(Jreene, Clarence Henry 102 

Greene, Frederic Albert 102 

Greene, Isaac Chase 57 



[ xiv ] 



Greene, Jdcnh 7:> 

Greene, Josepli 7o 

(jreene, WilUcmi, Jr 74 

(ireene, William Chace. . .7;), 12:i 
(Jreene, William Maxwell, 

57, 72, 7:1, 122 
(Ireene, William Hay — 11.'), 12(; 

Guild, A(ir(ni 74 

(Jnild, Henry Taft 7-") 

Giiihl, Jose/ih 74 

(Juild, Reuben Aldri(l<?e, 

74, '.)(), 104, 124 

Hale, Wendall Pliillips 82 

Hall, Asaph 75 

Hamlin, Edward Bowen..75, 130 

If ami in, S((yin(el 75 

Hammond, Charles Alfred 77 

Hammond, Frank Irving' I'd 

Handy, Edwin Rogers 80, 110 

Harris, Eniest Ayers 5?> 

Harrison, (Jeorge Arnold 7() 

Harrison, Robert 75 

Hart, George Thomas 108, KM) 

Harvey, Edwin Hates 7<i 

Harvey, Josiah 70 

Hashrouck, Elias 7(') 

Hasbronck, Sayer 70 

Hastings, John 70 

Hawkins, Amos Micajah..78, 18o 
Hawkins, Asahel Simmons, 

7s, i:;:; 
Hawkins, Frederick (ireene. .l:i:) 

Healy, (ieorge Albert 44 

Htnsliair, John 7<! 

Hill, Lester Seneca 12() 

Hodges, Charles Libl)ens 1<)2 

Holden, (^harles \:]-2 

Holmes, Da rid 77 

Holt, Kelieiniah 77 

Hopkins, Charles Wyman..78, 80 

Hopkins, Esek 77, lo2 

Hopkins, Saunicl. Jr 7S 

Ifo/ikins, Sti jihcii 7''^ 



H(yn\ Ezekiel 78 

]fon\ Exekiel, Jr 70 

Howard, Henry 94 

Howe, Arthur Warren 80 

Howe, 3Ioses 80 

Humphrey, George 80 

Jfuniphrei/, Williant 80 

Ifi/de, Jfdiez, Jr 80 

Inman, Harris Smith 7:5 

Irons, Charles Frederick 117 

Jackson, William 80 

Jastram, Edward Perkins 5:3 

Jenckes, Joh n 80 

Jenckes, John 81 

Jenckes, Thomas Allen 82 

Jenks, Jeremiah 82 

Johnson, Thomas 82 

Jones, Bariaihas 82 

Jones, Edward Simmons 8:3 

Joslin, Henry Van Amburgh..4:3 

Jialson. John 8:3 

Judson, Jolm Edwhi. ..s:3, 08, 1:33 

Kanll, John 83 

Keeler, Aaron 84 

Keeler, (ieorge Anson 84 

Kelley, Arthur Livingston 84 

Kelley, Micajuh 84 

Kendrick, John Edwin oo, 84 

Kendrick, Joseph Harvey 84 

Kendrick, Oliver 84 

Kennon, Charles Edward \'ere.75 

Ken f, Ezra 85 

Kenyon, Almeron Clark 85 

Kcni/oii, ( 'alrh 85 

Kenyon, Edwin Almeron 85 

Keni/on, William 85 

Ketrliam, Timothi/ 85 

Khigman, James Henry 07 

Kinniciiff, Daniel Sfi 

Knight, Edward Halch . .. .8(), 128 
Knli/hl. I'ohirl. Jr 80 



[ XV ] 

Kniyht, Tiohert, Sr 86 Martin, NatlianicJ m 

Knight, Kussell Winchester, Mason, Earl Philip 94 

8(i, no, 128 Mason, Fletcher Stone 85 

Knowies, Edwin, Jr oO Mason, Orray Tillingliast !»4 

M((sn)i, Pardon !>4 

Ladd, Ezekiel 8(5 Mathewson, Frank Mason 57 

Ladd, Josepli 8" Mathewson, Ificholas 94 

Lane, Ahial 87 3Iatheirson, JSfoa/i 94 

Lurcher, John S7 Manran, John Tyler 90 

Laii'ton, (reorye 88 Mauran, Jot^eph Ciirlo 95 

Lawton, Georg'e Robert 88 Ma.rjieJd, John 95 

Luwton, Bohert 88 May, Edward IJenjaniin 97 

Lewis, Anynstiis J 88 Mai/, Elislia 9(5 

Lillibridge, Byron Jesse 89 May, Lenmel 9(> 

Lillibridije, Jonatlxin 89 Merrill, John Harvey 99 

Lindley, Isaiah 89 Metcalf, Harold. . .94, 99, 100, 182 

Lippitt, Charles 90 :\ret('alf, Howard Tucker, 

Lippitt, Charles Warren, 94, 99, loo, i;;2 

4(), S8, 90. 91. 112 Metralf, James 97 

Li/iliitt, ( 'hrtstoiJa r 90 Metralf, James, Jr 97 

Lippitt, Christopher 90 Miller, Nathan 97 

Upi)itt, Henry Frederick, Miller, Nelson 98 

40, 88, 90, 91, 112 Miner, Francis AVayland, Jr., 

Lippitt, liobert Lhicoln, 40, (W, 10:!, 129 

46, 88, 90, 91, 112 Mitchell, A hijah 98 

Locke, Thomas 90 Moody, Joh n 98 

Locke, Thomas, Si- 91 Morris, Edward Dexter 68 

Low, John 91 Morse, Ahner 99 

Lyman, Daniel 91 Morse, Silas 99 

Lyman, Rolfe March 67 Moirry, Daniel 99 

Moicry, Daniel, od 99 

Mallett, James Fenner (59, 92 Mumford, Jeremiah 100 

Mallett, I-'eter 92 Munro, Charles George., 98 

Manchester, Charles Howard. .92 Munro, Edirard lOo 

Manchester, James Cook 92 Munro, Walter Lee. . .42, loo, 121 

Manchester, John Howard 92 Munro, Wilfred TLarold, 

Manchester, Nathaniel 92 42, 100, 121 

Manchester, William Leonard, 

92 Xewell, Claude Potter lOO 

Martin, David 92 Neicell, Stephen 100 

Martin, Ephraim 98 Xewell, Timothy loo 

Martin, Hezekiah 98 Nichols, Cliarles Lemuel 6() 

Martin, Jacob Sterry 98 Nightingale, George Corlis. 

Martin, Luther 98 61, 74, 101 



[ xvi ] 



Ni(/htiii<i<i]e. JnsciiJi KU 

Xightiugale, William (hvene, 

()1. 74, 1(11 

ISFoi/es, Joseph 101 

Noyes, Joseph, Jv 101 

(Uneii, John 101 

OJiiei/. Stejihcii lOU 

l^nliic, Arnohl lO'J 

Parker. William Tlioriitou. . . .Oit 

Parklmrst, Christoplier Francis, 

7l', 117 

I'earcc, Tsaar 102 

Peck, Allen Millard 103 

Peck, Amhrnse 103 

Peck, James Garrison 103 

Peel', Scnuiel 103 

Pe)t(lh't(iii, Jolni 103 

PendJetoii, Nothun I(t3 

Pettee, Ehenezer 104 

PhUuiei/, Eli 104 

Pond, Daniel IJnllard 104 

Pond, Eli 104 

i'ooh', Sdiiniel 104 

Ponle, Sdiiiuel 105 

Porter, Benj<n)iiii 105 

Porter, Henry Perry 105 

J'otter, Cdleh 105 

Potter, Dexter Burton loo 

Potter, Isaac Matliewson . . . . lor> 

Potter, Join, 100 

Potter. Join, 1(»0 

lidiiihill. Join, 100 

llanddll. Join, -100 

Pandall, .lolni Pendleton, 

103, 107, 121 

Peed, JI<, II, 111(11,(1 107 

Reynolds, Charles Stepiieii. . .los 

Pei/iiohls, James 107 

Reynolds, John Post lOS 

Heiliiohls, Joseph 107 

Pu III, olds, W'illid,,, lOS 



hMiodes, Arthur Ans'ustns, 

los, 1()<» 

Phodes, Penjdiiiiii 10^* 

Rhodes, Christopher 05, 109 

Rhodes, Edward Smith., los, lou 

Phodes, Jeiriies 134 

Rhodes, Peter lOS 

Phodes, llohert 100 

Rliodes, William P>attey..44, 125 

Rickard, James Ilelme so 

liickard, James Ilelme, Jr., 

so, 1 10. 125 

ir,vk((rd, Silas 100 

liohcrts. Join, 110 

Robhison, Rowland Rodman, loi 

Roelker, William Greene 74 

Pollers, Uichard 110 

Rose, Henry Brayton 71 

Russell, Emory Poole 105 

lliissell, John 110 

Sahii,, J(ni,es 110 

Salish,ir/i. Aiitlarnjl Ill 

Salisl},ii-ii, Martin Ill 

Sallsl)it ,-,1, Xalhdniel Ill 

Sinnj>soi,, ^1 le.vd Idler Ill 

Sanl'ord, Ee Roy Sprague 131 

Seaiianis, Martin 112 

Senter, Isadc 112 

Seymore, Manuel Francis 52 

Sheldon, Frank Augustus — 120 

Sheldon, Philip Collins oo, KHi 

Shurrocks, Alfred Francis. s7, 112 
Shurrocks, William Otis. .S7, 112 

"SSkinner, Solomon, Jr 112 

Sldler, I'eter 11:'- 

Slocum, Percy Dinsniore Smitli, 

101 

Smith, Brown Esek 53 

Smith, Franklhi Augustus, Jr.. 

lOS, 1011 

Smitli, Robert Ezekiel . . . los. loO 

Siddc. .lames 113 

Snow, Louis Franklin 113 



[ xvii ] 



Southwick, Isaac Ilarrisoii. . . 1 10 
South wick, Isaac Hinckley. . .110 

Spelman, Elihu li;j 

Spelman, Frederick Brown, 

ry.], 114 

Spencer, lieiijainin 114 

Spink, Arthur Bradford. . .T)-!. 1:51 

Stearns, Charles Falconer 114 

Stearnes, Edioard 114 

Stenness, Samuel 114 

Stevens, Daniel 4(i 

Stiness, Edward (^linton liessom, 

114 

Stoddard, EU l;];j 

Stone, Alfred ii:,, 120 

Stone, Jeremiah 11.5 

Stone, Jeremiah 11.5 

Stone, Jonathan nr, 

Stone, Solomo)! 115 

Studley, John Edward 72 

Sumner, Arthur Preston. .5!), 11.") 

Sumner, Benjamin 115 

Swain, Edward Allen 4;], ()2 

Swhibunie, William James. . . 117 

^'aft, Jacob, Jr lie, 

Taft, Eobert Wendall no 

Taft, Koyal Chapui no 

Taygard, WiUiam 110 

Tallman, Benjamin no 

Tanner, Herbert Sanford 10:; 

Tanner, Sainuel 117 

Temple, William Henry (riles, 

i)l, 107 

Ten; William II7 

Thompson, Arthur :\Iiddleton, 

10!) 

Thontjison, Chai-Ics, Her 118 

Thurher, Darius us 

lliurston, Geor</e ll^! 

Thurston, Horace lis 

Tiffany, Ehenezer no 

Tiffany, Ebenezer, Jr 119 

Tillinyhast, Charles 119 



Tillin«iiast, Charles Foster. ...7S 

Tillinyhast, (ieorge Hall no 

Tillins'liast, John Willard 1 19 

Tillingliast, Theodore Foster.. 78 
Tillinghast, Willard Wheaton. 1 19 

Tinyle;/, Benjamin 119 

Totten, Leri 120 

Totten, Nathaniel Greene 120 

Tower, James Henry 120 

Tou-er, Levi 120 

Treadwell, Thonais 120 

Troir, Bartholomew 121 

ViaU,N((tha)iiel 121 

Viall, AVilliam Angell 121 

Vincent, Walter Boradel 03 

Vincent, William, Br 121 

Waldroii, Tlioiiias 121 

Wall, George Augustus 122 

Wall, Samuel 122 

Ward, Samuel 122 

Wardwell, William Thomas 

Church 72 

Warner, John 122 

WashJ)urn, Leri 128 

Washbuni, Koscoe Stetson. . .123 

Waterman, Asa 123 

Waters, Daniel 123 

AVaters, Hardin Chester, 

.")."■), 77, 124 

Watson, Shearjashub T 123 

Weatherbee, Benjamin 124 

Webb, (Jeorge Heber 124 

TT'e^^, Joshua 124 

Webb, Luther 124 

Webb, Samuel Heber 124 

M'elch, Ebenezer 125 

Welch, Hezekiah 125 

Weld, Aaj-nii 125 

West, Williani 125 

Westrott, E}>hrairn 125 

Westcott, John 12(i 

Westcott, Robert Folger 12() 

Wheaton, fieorge, 2d 98 



xviii J 



Wlieatoii, John Robert '.is 

Whi'dto)!, Jt)!<eph l-i> 

Whipjile, Job l-i(i 

AVhite, Hunter Carson (il, sit 

Wilkinson, Ben Join in 1:^7 

Williams, Alfred ^Slason 127 

Williams, Alonzo lt»4 

M'iUi(i)iis, Janies Il'7 

Williams, James Wilmartli, 

127, 128 
WiJlidrns, Squire 127 



W'lllianison, Frank Adolphus, 

(id, S4, 127 

AVillson, Edmund Russell oU 

Wihnnrtli, TiniolUji 127 

Wiiidnster, Lemuel 128 

WoihI. .Jul ha in 128 

Woods. Jolni Carter Brown, 

:)4, 181 

]'e(iininis, Jdlni 129 

Vnik\ Allen 129 



COxXSTlTUTION 



NATIONAL SOCIETY 



SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 



ARTICLE I. 

NAME. 



The name of this Societ}- shall be "The Sons of the 
American Revolution." 

ARTICLE II. 

OBJECTS. 

The objects of this Society shall be to perpetuate the inein- 
oiy of the men who, by their services or sacrifices during the 
war of the American Revolution, achieved the independence 
of the American people; to unite and promote fellowship 
among their descendants ; to inspire them and the commu- 
nity at large with a more profound reverence for the prin- 
ciples of the government founded by our forefathers; to 
encourage historical research in i-elation to the American 
Revolution ; to acquire and preserve tlie records of the indi- 
vidual services of the patriots of the war, as well as docu- 
ments, relics, and landmarks ; to mark the scenes of the 
Revolution by appropriate memorials ; to celebrate the an- 
niversaries of the prominent events of the war ; to foster true 



r 2 ] 

patriotism ; to maintain and extend the institutions of Amer- 
ican freedom ; and to carry out the purposes expressed in the 
Preamble to the Constitution of our Country and the injunc- 
tions of Washington in his Farewell Address to the American 
people. 

ARTICLE III. 

MEMBERSHIP. 

Section 1. Any man shall be eligible to membership in 
this Society who, being of the age of twenty-one years or 
over, and a citizen of good repute in the community, is the 
lineal descendant of an ancestor who was at all times unfail- 
ing in his loj^alty to and rendered actual service in the cause 
of American Independence, either as an officer, soldier, sea- 
man, marine, militiaman, or minute-man, in the armed forces 
of the Continental Congress or of anj' one of the several Col- 
onies or States ; or as a signer of the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence ; or as a member of a Committee of Safety or 
Correspondence ; or as a member of any Continental, Provin- 
cial, or Colonial Congress or Legislature ; or as a civil officer, 
either of one of the Colonies or States or of the National 
Government ; or as a recognized patriot who performed actual 
service b}^ overt acts of resistance to the authority of Great 
Bi-itain. 

Section 2. Applications for membership shall be made to 
any State Society, in duplicate, upon blank forms presci-ibed 
by the Genei-al Board of Managers, and shall in each case 
set forth the name, occupation, and residence of the applicant, 
line of descent, and the name, residence, and services of his 
ancestor or ancestors in the Revolution, from whom he derives 
eligibility. The applicant shall make oath that the state- 
ments of his api^lication are true, to the best of his know- 
ledge and belief. L^pon the approval of an application by 
the State Society, to which it is made, one cop3^ shall be 
transmitted to the Registrar General of the National Society, 
who shall examine further the eligibility of the applicant. 
If satisfied that the member is not eligible, he shall return 



[ 3] 

the application for correction. And in case of such return 
the State Society shall, on failure to satisfy the Registrar 
General of the eligibility of such applicant, drop his name 
from membership. 

Section 3. The official designation of the members of the 
Society of the Sons of the American Revolution shall be 
" Compatriots." 

ARTICLE IV. 

NATIONAL AND STATE SOCIETIES. 

Section 1. The National Society shall embi-ace all the 
members of the State Societies of the Sons of the American 
Revolution now existing or which may hereafter be estab- 
lished under this Constitution. 

Section 2. Whenever in any State or Territory in which 
a State Society does not exist, or in which a State Society has 
become inactive or failed for two years to pay its annual 
dues to the National Society, fifteen or more persons dul}^ 
qualified for membership in this Society may associate them- 
selves as a State Society of the Sons of the American Revolu- 
tion, and organize in accordance with this Constitution, they 
may be admitted by the General Board of Managers to the 

National Society as "The Society of the Sons of the 

American Revolution," and shall thereafter have exclusive 
local jurisdiction in the State or Territory or in the District 
in which thej'' are organized, subject to the provisions of this 
Constitution ; but this provision shall not be construed so 
as to exclude the admission of members living in other 
States. 

Section 3. Each State Society shall judge of the qualifi- 
cations of its members and of those proposed for membership, 
subject to the provisions of this Constitution, and shall regu- 
late all matters pertaining to its own affairs. It shall have 
authority to establish local chapters within its own jurisdic- 
tion and to endow the chapters with such power as it may 
deem propei-, not inconsistent with this Constitution. It 
shall have authority, after due notice and impartial trial, to 



[ i ] 

expel any member who, by condnct unbecoming a gentleman, 
shall render himself unworthy to remain a member of the 
Society. 

Section 4. Each State Society shall submit to the Annual 
Congress of the National Society a report, setting forth b.y 
name the additions, transfers, and deaths, and any other 
changes in the membership and progress of the State Society 
during the preceding year, and make such suggestions as it 
shall deem proper for the promotion of the objects of tlie 
whole Order. 

Section 5. Whenever a member in good standing in his 
Society changes his residence from the jurisdiction of the 
State Society of which he is a member to that of another, he 
shall be entitled, if he so elects, to a certificate of honorable 
dismission from his own State Society, in order that he may 
be transferred to the State Society to whose jurisdiction he 
has changed his residence; Provided, that his membership 
shall continue in the former until he sliall have been elected 
a member of the latter. Each State Society shall, however, 
retain full control of the admission of members by trans- 
fer. 

Section 6. Whenever the word "State" occurs in this 
Constitution, it shall l)e held to include within its meaning 
the District of Columbia and the Territories of the United 
States. 

Section 7. A Society maj' be formed in anj^ foreign 
country by fifteen or more persons who are eligible to mem- 
bership under this Constitution, which shall bear the same 
relation to the National organization as the State Societ}', 
subject to the provisions of this Constitution. 

ARTICLE V. 

officers and managers. 

Section 1. The General Officers of the National Society 
sliall be a President General, five Vice-Presidents General, a 
Secretary General, Treasurer General, Registrar General, 
Historian General and Chaplain (General, who shall be elected 



[ 5 ] 

by ballot by a vote of the majority of the members present 
at the annual meeting of the Congress of the National 
Society, and shall hold oflfice for one year and until their 
successors are elected ; Provided, that the President General 
and five Vice-Presidents General shall not be elected for a 
second term. 

Section 2. The General Officers, together with the Presi- 
dents of the State Societies ex-officio, shall constitute tlie 
General Board of Managers of tlie National Society, which 
Board shall have authority to adopt and promulgate the 
By-Laws of the National Society, to prescribe the duties of 
the General Officers, to provide the seal, to desigimte and 
make regulations for the issue of the insignia, and to trans- 
act the general business of the National Society during the 
intervals between the sessions of the Congi-ess. Meetings of 
the General Board may be held, after not less than ten days' 
notice, at the call of the President General, or, in case of his 
absence or inabilit}', at the call of the senior Vice-President 
General, certified by tlie Secretary General. Meetings shall 
be called at the request of seven members. At such meet- 
ings seven shall constitute a quorum. 

Section 3. An Executive Committee of seven, of whom 
the President General shall be Chairman, may be elected by 
the Board of Managers, which Committee shall, in tlie interim 
between the meetings of the Board, transact such business 
as may be delegated to it b}^ the Board of Managers. 

ARTICLE VL 

DUES. 

Each State Society shall pay annually to the Treasurer 
General, to defraj' the expenses of the National Society, 
twenty-five cents for each active member thereof, unless in- 
termitted by the National Congress ; Provided that the Na- 
tional Board of Management maj^ increase said dues at any 
time, not to exceed Mty cents in all, by a two-thirds vote, 
when the necessities of the National Society so demand. All 
such dues shall be paid on or before the first day of Api-il 



[ 6 ] 

in each j^ear for the ensuing year, in order to secure repre- 
sentation in the Congress of the National Society. 

ARTICLE VII. 

MEETINGS AND ELECTIONS. 

Section 1. The annual Congress of the National Society 
for the election of the General Officers and for the transaction 
of business shall be held on the 30th day of April or on the 
first day of May in every year. The time, hour, and place of 
such meeting shall be designated bj^ the Board of Managers. 

Section 2. Special meetings of the Congress may be called 
by the President General, and shall be called by him when 
directed so to do by the Board of Managers or whenever 
requested in writing so to do by at least five State Societies, 
on giving thirty days' notice, specifying the time and place 
of such meeting and the business to be transacted. 

Section 3. The following shall be members of all such 
annual or special meetings of the Congress, and shall be en- 
titled to vote therein : 

(1) All the officers and the ex-President General of the 
National Society. 

(2) The President and senior Vice-President of each State 
Society. 

(3) One delegate at large from each State Society, 

(4) One delegate for every one hundred members of the 
Society within a State and for a fi-action of fifty or over. 

Section -4. State Societies shall only be represented at 
meetings of the National Society by members of their own 
State Society, or by members of other State Societies who 
may be designated by the regularly appointed delegates 
from such State Society who may be present at any meetiug 
of the National Society ; and that the delegates representing 
any State Society, as provided herein, shall be authorized to 
cast the entire vote to which such State Society is entitled, 
each delegate oi- representative present being authorized to 
cast his proportionate vote, or fraction thereof. 



[ 7] 



ARTICLE VIII. 

AMENDMENTS. 

This Constitution may be altered or amended at any meet- 
ing of the Congress of the National Society, provided that 
sixty days' notice of the proposed alterations or amendments, 
which shall first have been recommended by a State Society, 
shall be sent by the Secretary General to the President of 
each State Society. A vote of two-thirds of those present 
shall be necessary to their adoption. 



r> Y - 1. A AV s 



NATIONAL SOCIETY 



SONS OF THE AMKUIOAX REVOLl TION 



ARTICLE I. 

ELECTION OF OFFICERS. 



All iioniinatioiis of officers shall be made fi'om the floor, 
and the election shall be by ballot. A majority shall elect. 
The nominations may be acted upon directly, or may be 
referred to a committee to examine and report. 

ARTICLE II. 

OFFICERS. 

The duties of the General Officers shall be such as usually 
appertain to their offices, and they shall have such other 
duties as are hereinafter imposed. The^^ shall report at the 
annual meeting, and at such other times as they may be re- 
(|uired to do so by the Geneial Board of Managers. 

ARTICLE III. 

PRESIDENT GENERAL. 

Section 1. The President General, in addition to his 
general duties, shall be ex-officio chairman "of the General 



[ i^ 1 

Board of Managers and of the Execntive Committee and a 
membei" of every other committee. 

Section 2. At each annnal meeting lie shall appoint the 
following Standing Committees : 

Committee on Auditing, 

" Correspondence, 

" Credentials, 

" Finance, 

" Organization, 

" Unfinished Business. 

The duties of the above committees shall be such as usually 
pertain to committees of like character, and such as may 
be defined by the Board of Managers. 

ARTICLE IV. 

VICE-PRESIDENT GENERAL. 

Section 1. In the absence of the President General the 
senior Vice-President General pi-esent shall preside at the 
annual meeting. 

Section 2. In the prolonged absence or inability to act 
of the President General, the executive authority shall be 
vested in the Vice-President General first in order of pre- 
cedence. 

ARTICLE V. 

secretary general. 

The Secretary General, in addition to his general duties, 
shall have charge of the seal, give due notice of all meetings 
of the National Society or General Board of Managers, of 
which he shall be ex-officio a member. He shall give due 
notice to all general officers and State Societies of all votes, 
orders, and proceedings affecting or appertaining to their 
duties. He shall distribute all jiamphlets, circulars, rosettes, 
and supplies, as directed by the General Board of Managers. 

2 



[ J" 1 

ARTICLE VI. 

TREASURER GENERAL. 

Section 1. The Treasurer General shall collect and re- 
ceive the funds and securities of the National Society. He 
shall deposit the same to the ci-edit of the " Sons of the Amer- 
ican Revolution," and shall draw them thence for the use of 
the National Society, as directed by it or by the General 
Board of Managers, upon the order of the President General, 
countersigned by the Secretary General. His accounts shall 
be audited by a committee to be appointed at the annual 
meeting. 

Sectjon 2. He shall, if so required by the General Board 
of Managers or the Executive Committee, give bonds for the 
safe custody and application of the funds. 

ARTICLE VII. 

REGISTRAR (JENERAL. 

The Registrar General shall keep a Registei* ot the names 
and dates of the election, resignation, or death of all members 
of the several State Societies, and shall have the care and 
custody' of all duplicate applications for membei'ship. He 
shall issue, upon the requisition of the Secretary or Registrar 
of the several State Societies, cei-tificates of membership and 
insignia to every member entitled thereto, through such Sec- 
retary or Registrar. 

ARTICLE VIII. 

HISTORIAN GENERAL. 

The Historian General shall have the custody of all the 
historical and biographical collection of which the National 
Society may become possessed, and shall catalogue and 
arrange the same, and shall place the same in a iireijroof 
rej)Ository for preservation. 



[ 11 ] 

ARTICLE IX. 

CHAPLAIN (GENERAL. 

The Cliaphiin General shall be a regularly ordained min- 
ister, and shall open and close all general meetings of the 
National Society with the services usual and pi-oi)er on such ■ 
occasions. 

ARTICLE X. 

STATE SOCIETIES. 

Every State Society shall 

(1) Notify the Secretary General of the election and ap- 
pointment of all officers and delegates. 

(2) Pay to the Treasurer General on the first daj' of 
March, or within sixty days thereafter, the sum of twenty- 
five cents for each active member thereof. 

(3) Transmit to the Registrar General duplicate applica- 
tions of all accepted members, and notify- him of the resigna- 
tion or death of all members thereof. 

ARTICLE XL 

GENERAL BOARD OF MANAGERS. 

Section 1. The General Board of Managers shall prepare 
and carr}" out plans for promoting the objects and growth of 
the Society ; shall generally superintend its interests, and 
shall execute such other duties as shall be committed to it at 
any meeting of the National Society. It shall have charge 
of the printing of the Diploma and the manufacturing of the 
Insignia, and shall determine tlie price at which tlie same 
shall be issued. 

Section 2. It shall have authority to admit or re-organize 
as a State Society anj^ association of fourteen or more per- 
sons duly qualified foi- meml)ership in the Society. 

Section 3, It shall have power to fill any vacancj' occur- 



[ 12 ] 

ling among the General Officers, and an officer so elected 
shall act until tlie following annual election and until his 
successor shall be elected. 

Section 4. It shall have authority to make, alter, and 
amend the By-Laws as hereinafter j^rovided. 

Section 5. The President General ma}' call meetings of 
the Geueral Board of Managers at any time he may deem 
necessary', and shall call such meeting upon the written 
request of any five members thereof, provided that not less 
than five days' notice of the time and place of such meeting 
shall be given. 

ARTICLE XII. 

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. 

The President General may call a meeting of tlie Executive 
Committee at an}- time, and shall call such meeting on the 
written request of three members thereof. 

ARTICLE XIII. 

SEAL. 

The seal of the Society shall be two and three-eightlis of an 
incli in diameter, charged with the figure of a minute-man, 
gi'asping a musket in his right hand, and surrounded by a 
constellation of thirteen stars, who shall be depicted in the 
habit of a husbandman of the period of the American Revo- 
lution, and as in the act of deserting the plough for the 
service of his country ; the whole encircled by a band three- 
eighths of an inch wide, within which shall appeal' the legend, 
"National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, 
organized April oO, 1889." 

ARTICLE XIV. 

CERTIFICATES. 

All members of the Society, wherevei- admitted, shall be 
entitled to a certificate of membership dul^^ attested by the 



[ r. 



President General, Secretary General, and Rej;:i8trar General, 
countersigned by the President, Secretarj', and Registrar of 
the State Society to which such member shall have been 
admitted. 

ARTICLE XV. 

INSIGNIA. 

The insignia of the Society shall comprise (1) a cross sur- 
mounted by an eagle in gold, (2) a rosette. 

Section 1. The cross shall be of silver, with four arms, 
covered with white enamel and eight gold points, same size 
as Chevaliers' Cross of the Legion of Honor of France, with a 
gold medallion in the centre bearing on the obverse a bust of 
Washington in profile, and on the reverse the figure of a 
minute-man, surrounded by a ribbon enameled blue, with 
the motto : " Libeiias et Pafria " on the obverse, and the 
legend "Sons of the American Revolution " on the reverse, 
both in letters of gold. The cross shall be surmounted by an 
eagle in gold, and the whole decoration suspended from a 
ring of gold by a ribbon of deep blue with white and buff 
edges, and may be worn by any member of the Society on 
ceremonial occasions only, and shall be carried on the left 
breast, or at the collar if an officer of the National Society, 
or the President, active or past, of a State Society. 

Section 2. The rosette shall be seven-sixteenths of an 
inch in diameter, of usual pattern, displaying the colors of 
the Society, blue, white, and buff, and may be worn by all 
members at discretion in the upper left-hand button-hole of 
the coat. 

ARTICLE XVI. 

INDEBTEDNESS. 

No debts shall be contracted on behalf of the National 
Society. Every obligation for the payment of money, except 
checks drawn against deposits, executed in Ihe name or on 
behalf of the National Society shall be null and void. 



[ 1-t ] 

ARTICLE XVII. 

AMENDMENTS. 

These By-Lciws may be altered or amended by a vote of 
three-fourths of the members present at any meeting of the 
General Board of Managers, notice thei-eof having been given 
at a previous meeting. 



CIIxVRTER 



RHODE ISLAND SOCIETY 



SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 



State of Rhode Island, etc., 

In General Assembly, 
jMiiuHi'y Session, A. D. 1801. 

AN ACT TO INCORPORATE RHODE ISLAND SOCIETY OF THE 
SONS OF THE AMEIHCAN REVOLUTION. 

(Passed Februnry 18. 1)^91.) 

//. is enacted by the General Assemhly as folloas : 

Section 1. W. Maxwell Greene, William W. Iloppin, 
William Goddard, Albert Gallatin Bai'ton, E. Benjamin 
Andrews, Daniel B. Pond, and their associates and succes- 
sors are hereby made a corporation by the name of Rhode 
Island Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, for 
the purpose of cherishing and maintaining- the institutions 
of American freedom, and pei'petuating the spirit and mem- 
ory of the deeds of the patriots who achieved American in- 
dependence, with all the powei's and privileges and subject 
to all the duties and liabilities set forth in Chapter 152 of 
the Public Statutes and in any acts in amendment thereof 
or in addition thereto. 



[ 16 ] 

Sec. 2. Said Corporation may take, hold, transmit, and 
convey real and personal estate to an amount not exceeding- 
twenty-five thousand dollars. 

Sec. 3. This act shall take effect immediately. 

A true copy. 

[seal.] Attest : 

GEORGE H. UTTER, 

Secretary of Stnie. 




GEORGE CORLIS NIGHTINGALE, 
Vice-Pkesident. 



BY-LAA\ S 



RHODE ISLAND SOCIETY 



SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 



ARTICLE I. 

OBJECTS OF THE SOCIETY. 

The purposes of tliis Society are i)atriotic and social ; to 
cherisli and maintain among ourselves and our descendants 
and in the community the institutions of American freedom ; 
to perpetuate tlie sj^irit and memory of the deeds of the pa- 
triots who achieved American Independence and who secured 
to us the blessings of liberty ; to promote the fitting celebra- 
tion of anniversaries commemorating the events connected 
with the War of the American Revolution ; to collect and 
preserve documents and relics relating to said war ; and to 
promote social intercourse and fellowship among its mem- 
bers now and hereafter. 

ARTICLE II. 

ELIGIBILITY. 

Any man shall be eligible to membership in this Society 
who, being at least twenty-one years old and a citizen of good 
repute in the community, is the lineal descendant of an an- 
cestor who was at all times unfailing in his loyalty to and 

3 



[ 18] 

rendered actual service in the cause of American Independ- 
ence, either as an officer, soldier, seaman, marine, militiaman, 
or minute-man in the armed forces of the Continental Con- 
gress, or in any one of the several Colonies or States ; or as a 
signer of the Declaration of Independence ; or as a member 
of a Committee of Safety or Correspondence ; or as a member 
of any Continental, Provincial, or Colonial Legislature ; or as 
a civil officer, either of one of the Colonies or States or of the 
National Government ; or as a recognized patriot who jjer- 
formed actual service by overt acts of resistance to the 
authority of Great Britain. 

ARTICLE III. 

MEMBERSHIP. 

All applications for membership in this Society shall be in 
duplicate, upon blank forms furnished by the Society, and 
each application shall be accompanied by the membership 
fee, which shall be returned if the applicant is not accepted. 
Such ai)plications shall be submitted to the Registrar for ex- 
amination and shall be reported by him to the Board of 
Managers. The aj)plicant shall become a member of the 
Society when his application shall have been approved by 
the Board of Managers and bj^ the Registrar General and 
when he shall have subscribed to the Cliarter and By-Laws. 

ARTICLE IV. 

FEES AND DUES. 

The membership fee shall be one dollar and the yearly 
dues shall be two dollars. The payment of fifty dollars by a 
member at any one time shall constitute him a life membei", 
and he shall thereafter be exempt from the payment of an- 
nual dues ; and any amount so received shall be set aside and 
invested as a permanent fund, the income only to be used 
for such purposes as the Board of Managers shall determine. 
Annual dues shall be paid to the Secretary on or before the 



[ If' ] 

22d day of February in each year, but members joining the 
Society during the last quarter of the year ending February 
21st shall not be liable for the pajnnent of dues for the year 
preceding. The Secretary shall notify any member nine 
months in arrears, and non-payment of dues within three 
months thereafter shall be regarded as terminating the mem- 
bership of such person unless he shall present a satisfactory 
excuse acceptable to the Board of Managers. 

ARTICLE V. 

MEETINGS. 

A meeting of the Society for the election of officers and 
other business shall be held annually in the city of Provi- 
dence, on the 22d day of February at 12 o'clock, noon, at 
such place as may be designated by the Board of Managers. 
Upon the completion of such business as shall be appropriate 
to the annual meeting, it shall adjourn, and the adjourned 
meeting of the Society shall be held on the same day, or some 
other day, at a iilace which shall be provided by the Board of 
Managers, where a dinner shall be served, at which the newly 
elected President shall preside. Included in the exercises 
attending the annual dinner shall be a toast, " To the Patriots 
of the American Revolution." Whenever the 22d of February 
shall fall on Sunday, the annual meeting shall be held on the 
following day. 

The Society shall hold at least one meeting in each year for 
the purpose of celebrating some event in Revolutionary His- 
tory, at such time and place and in such manner as may be 
determined by the Board of Managers. At an}' meeting of 
the Society a quorum shall consist of ten members. 

Special meetings of the Societj' may be called by the Presi- 
dent, and shall be called by him when directed so to do by 
the Board of Managers, or whenever so requested in writing 
by at least fifteen members. Thereupon the Secretary shall 
mail to each member a notice of such meeting and of the 
business to come before it, at least forty-eight hours before 
such meeting. 



[ 20 ] 

The following sliall be the order of business at the annual 
meeting : 

1. Reading and approving the reeoi'd of the last 

annual meeting. 

2. The President's annual address. 

3. The Secretary's annual report. 

4. The Treasurer's annual report. 

5. The Registrar's annual i-eport. 
G. The reports of Committees. 

7. The election of Officers, Delegates, and Alternates. 

8. Unfinished business. 

9. New business. 

ARTICLE VI. 

OFFICERS. 

The officers of this Society shall consist of a Pi-esident, Vice- 
President, Secretary', Treasurer, Registrar, Historian, Chap- 
lain, Poet, and the Delegates to the National Society. These 
Officers and the Alternate Delegates shall be elected by ballot 
by a majority of the members voting at the annual meeting, 
and they shall hold office for one j'ear, or until Iheii' succes- 
sors are duly elected. 

ARTICLE VII. 

PRESIDENT. 

The President, or, in his absence, the Vice-President, or, in 
the absence of both President and Vice-President, the Chair- 
man 2jro tern, shall preside at all meetings of the Society and 
of the Board of Managers and shall have the casting vote. 
The presiding officer shall preserve order and shall decide all 
questions of order subject to appeal to the meeting. He shall 
present an address in writing at the annual meeting at the 
end of his term of office. The President and Vice-President 
shall not be eligible for re-election as Iheir own successors. 



[ 21 ] 
ARTICLE VIII. 

SECRETARY. 

Tlie Secretaiy shall receive all money from the members 
ami shall pay it over to the Treasurer, taking his receipt for 
the same. He shall conduct the general correspondence of 
the society. He shall notify members of their election to 
membership and to office, and of such other matters as the 
Society may direct. He shall have charge of the seal and 
such records of the Society as are not herein given especially 
in charge to the other officers of the Society, and together 
with the presiding officer he shall certify all acts and orders 
of the Society. He shall, under the direction of the President 
or the i:)residing officer, give notice of the time and place of 
all meetings of the Society and of the Board of Managers and 
shall attend the same. He shall keep accurate reports of the 
meetings of the Society and of the Board of Managers. He 
shall give such notice of the votes, orders, and proceedings of 
the Society and of the Board of Managers as they shall direct, 
and he shall submit a report in writing at each annual meet- 
ing. As a guide to the Board of Managers in admitting new 
members, the Secretary shall make known to all members of 
the Society all applications for membership at least ten daj^s 
before the meeting of the Board, when such applications sliall 
be acted upon, and shall request all members to make known 
any reason for the non-acceptance of any application, stating 
that such communication shall be regarded as confidential. 

ARTICLE IX. 

TREASURER. 

The Treasurer shall deposit all money received by him in 
bank in the name of the Society, and all money received for 
the Society shall be paid over to him monthly. He shall make 
payments therefrom only for the benefit of the Society, and 
in such sums as the Society or Board of Managers shall direct 
or upon the order of the Secretarj' countersigned by the Pi-esi- 



[ 22 ] 

dent. He shall keep a true account of his receipts and dis- 
bursements, and at each annual meeting he shall make a full 
report to the Society. The books of the Secretary and Treas- 
urer shall at all times be open to the inspection of the Presi- 
dent and Board of Managers and Auditing Committee. 

ARTICLE X. 

REGISTRAR. 

The Registrar shall examine all applications and proofs of 
membership and shall report his opinion thereon to the Board 
of Managers. He may return imperfect and incorrect appli- 
cations to the applicant for completion or correction. He 
shall forward to the Registrar General one copy of such appli- 
cations as have been approved by him and accepted by the 
Board of Managers, and he shall preserve one copy in the files 
in his office, making record of the same in a book prepared 
for that purpose ; and from time to time he shall have the 
originals suitably bound for preservation. He shall have 
the custo<ly of all the historical, geographical and genealogi- 
cal books, papers, manuscripts, relics, etc., of which the Societj' 
maj' become possessed. He shall be authorized to deposit 
such books, papers, manuscripts, and relics as may be neces- 
sary for their proper safety and preservation in the Provi- 
dence Public Library, and he shall cause them to be marked, 
" The Property of the Rhode Island Society of the Sons of the 
American Revolution." He shall receive twenty-five cents 
for recording each accepted application, and he shall submit 
a report in writing at each annual meeting. 

ARTICLE XL 

HISTORIAN. 

The Historian shall keep a reeoi-d of all facts in connection 
with this Society which he shall judge to be of historical 
value, and he shall deliver an address in writing at each an- 
nual dinner. The same person shall not be elected Historian 
for more than thi-ee consecutive years. 



[ 23 ] 
ARTICLE XII. 

CHAPLAIN. 

The Chaplain shall conduct snch devotional and religions 
services as may be called for in the conrse of business or 
exercises of the Society. 

ARTICLE XIII. 

BOARD OF MANAGERS. 

The Board of Managers shall consist of the President, Vice- 
President, Secretary, Treasurer, Registrar, Historian, Chap- 
lain, Poet, the Delegates to the National Society, and the 
Presidents of the local chapters. The Board of Manage i-s 
shall judge of the qualifications of the applicants for member- 
ship. They shall have control and management of the affairs 
of the Society. They shall appoint an Auditing Committee. 
Tliey shall have power to fill all vacancies. 

One of the objects of the Society being the collection and 
preservation of documents relating to the War of the Ameri- 
can Revolution, it shall be the duty of the Board of Managers 
from time to time to provide for the publication of a volume 
under the general title : "Manual of the Rhode Island Society 
of the Sons of the American Revolution," which shall contain, 
besides the yearly reports and proceedings of the Societj^ the 
names of members admitted from time to time, with an ac- 
count of their ancestors' services in the Revolution, and such 
papers or documents as may be obtained by the Society out- 
side of the Public Archives relating to the American Revolu- 
tion ; the cost of such Manual to be paid by the Society. 

The Board of Managers is hereby authorized from time to 
time to frame, adopt, and amend such Rules and Regulations, 
consistent with the Charter and By-Laws, as may be necessary 
in their conduct of the business of the Society. Such Rules 
and Regulations can only be amended upon proposal in writ- 
ing at any meeting of the Board and adoption of such pro- 
posed amendment at a subsequent meeting thereof. 



[ 24 ] 

Regular meetings of the Board of Managers shall be held 
on the tliird Wednesday of January, April, July, and October 
of each year. Special meetings may be called by the Presi- 
dent at aiiy time, and shall be called upon the written request 
of any three members of the Board of Managers, or of any 
fifteen members of the Society. At all meetings of the Board 
of Managers three members shall constitute a quorum. 

ARTICLE XIV. 

DELEGATES. 

Tliere shall be one Delegate at Large and Alternate, and 
one Delegate and Alterjiate for each one hundred members or 
fraction of one hundred exceeding fifty members, and an 
Alternate for the President and one for the Vice-President. 
These Delegates, or Alternates if the Delegates are unable to 
act, together with such officers as are lu'ovided for by the 
Constitution of the National Society, shall represent this 
Society in the National Societ3^ 

ARTICLE XV. 

SEAL. 

The Seal of the Society shall be two inclies in diameter and 
shall represent a lighted beacon surmounting a hill enveloped 
by thirteen stars, the whole encircled by a band one-quarter 
of an inch wide, upon which shall appear the legend in raised 
letters : " Rhode Island Society of the Sons of the American 
Revolution, Organized Feb. 1, 1890." The words "Organized 
Feb. 1, 1890," being placed at the bottom of said band. 

ARTICLE XVI. 

CHAPTERS. 

Ten members of this Society residing in any county, town, 
or city of this State may send a written request to the Board 
of Managers asking authority to associate as a Chapter of this 




CHRISTOPHER RHODES, 

Secretary, 



[ 25] 

Society in such county, town, or city, and the Board of Man- 
agers may grant snch request. 

Local Chapters shall be known as the Chapter of the 

Rhode Island Society of the Sons of the American Revolu- 
tion, No.—. Each Chapter may have a President, Secre- 
tary, and Treasurer, and such oflScers as the By-Laws of the 
Chapter may determine. The President of each local Chap- 
ter shall be, ex-officio, a member of the Board of Managers. 

No person shall be admitted into a Chapter as a member 
until after his admission into the State Society, in the manner 
provided by the By-Laws of this Society, and until he has paid 
the annual dues and fees as provided by said By-Laws. And 
any member suspended or expelled, or in any way losing his 
membership in the State Society, shall thereupon cease to be 
a member of the Chapter. 

Each Chapter may make By-Laws, Rules and Regulations 
for its government, provided such By-Laws, Rules and Regu- 
lations, do not conflict with the Charter and By-Laws of this 
Society, nor with the Constitution and By-Laws of the Na- 
tional Society. 

ARTICLE XVIL 

AMENDMENTS. 

These By-Laws may be amended at any regular meeting of 
the Society or at any special meeting called for the purpose, 
provided that the proposed amendment or amendments shall 
be introduced at a previous regular or special meeting of the 
Society, and shall be approved by a majority of the members 
present, and provided, also, that ten days before the second 
meeting a copy of said proposed alterations and amendments 
shall be sent by the Secretary to each member of the Society. 



F F I C E R S 

OF THE 

IIHODE ISLAND 80(1 171 Y 

OF THE 

SONS OF THE AMERICAN EEYOLUTION. 

1899-1900. 



ELECTED FEBRUARY 22, 1899. 



Robert Perkins Brown, . 13 Charles Field st., Providence, 

President 

George Corlis Nightingale, . 54 North Main st., Providence, 

Vice-President 

Christopher Rhodes, .... 290 Benefit St., Providence, 

Secretary. 

Arthur Preston Sumner, . 17 Custom House St., Providence, 

Treasurer. 

Isaac Chase Greene, .... P. O. Box T'M, Providence, 

Pegistrar. 

Edward Field, 18 Maple St., Providence, 

Histojnan. 

George Allen Buffum, .... 190 Hope st.. Providence, 

Poet 

Rev. Frederic Denison, . . 28 South Court st., Providence, 

Chaylain. 



Delegate-at-Large. — James Henry Tower. 

Delegates. — George Thomas Hart, William Henry Giles 
Temi^le. 

Alternates. — Robert Wendell Taft, Truman Beekwith, 
Horace Thurston, John Robert Wheaton. 



OFFICERS OF THE SOCIETY 

SINCE ORGANIZATION. 



PRESIDENTS. 

Rev. E. Beuj. Andrews, LL.D. {preliminary organization) 1890 

John Nicholas Brown,' 1890-1891 

Alfred Stone, 1891-1892 

John Carter Brown Woods, .... 1892-1893 

Amasa Mason Eaton, 1893-1894 

Wilfred Harold Munro, 1894-1895 

Edward Field, 1895-1896 

William Maxwell Greene, 1896-1897 

Royal Chapin Taft, 1897-1898 

William Thomas Chnrch Wardwell, . . . 1898-1899 

Robert Perkins Brown, 1899-1900 

VICE-PRESIDENTS. 

Gen. William T. Barton {prelimi7iary organization), . 1890 

Alfred Stone, 1890-1891 

John Carter Brown Woods, 1891-1892 

Amasa Mason Eaton, 1892-1893 

Robert Grenville Brown, 1893-1894 

Edward Field, 1894-1895 

William Maxwell Greene, 1895-1896 

Royal Chapin Taft, 1896-1897 

William Thomas Church Wardwell, . . . 1897-1898 

Robert Perkins Brown, 1898-1899 

George Corlis Nightingale, 1899-1900 

SECRETARIES. 

Theodore Foster Tillinghast {preliminary organization), 1890 

Theodore Foster Tillinghast, .... 1890-1891 

Amasa Mason Eaton, 1891-1892 

Robert Grenville Brown, 1892-1893 

Christopher Rhodes, . . . 1893-1894, now in office. 



' Mr. Brown never ([ualified as a member of the Society, nor officiated as president. 



[ 28 ] 

TREASURERS. 

Olney Arnold, II (preliminary organization), . . 1890 
Olney Arnold, II, . . 1890-1891 to 1897-1898, resigned. 
Arthur Preston Sumner, . . 1898-1899, now in office. 

REGISTRARS. 

Edward Field {preliminary organization), . . 1890 

Edward Field, 1890-1891 to 1893-1894 

Alonzo Williams, 1894-1895 

Robert Perlvins Brown, . . 1895-1896 to 1897-1898 

George Thomas Hart, 1898-1899 

Isaac Chase Greene, 1899-1900 



HISTORIANS. 



William Eaton Foster, 
Alfred Stone, 
Wilfred Harold Munro, 
Edward Field, . 



1890-1891 to 1892-1893 

1893-1894 to 1894-1895 

1895-1896 to 1896-1897 

1897-1898, now in office. 



Rev. Frederic Denison, 
George Allen Buffum, 



1890-1891 to 1897-1898 
1898-1899, now in office. 



CHAPLAINS. 

Rev. Frederic Denison, 
Rev, Samuel Heber Webb, 
Rev. Edward Otis Bartlett, 
Rev. Samuel Heber Webb, 
Rev. Frederic Denison, 
Rev. Samuel Heber Webb, 
Rev. Frederic Denison, 



1893- 
1894- 
1895- 
1896- 
1897- 
1898- 
1899- 



■1894 
■1895 
-1896 

•1897 
1898 
1899 
1900 



LIST OF MEMBERS 



RHODE ISLAND SOCIETY 



SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 



[ 30 ] 



state 
No. 



NAME. 



Residence. 



Date of 
Admission. 



10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 



William Maxwell Oreene. 
Amasa Mason Eaton .... 

Fredei'ie Denison 

Edward Field 

Daniel Bullard Pond ' . . . 



Providence, R. I. . 
Providence, R. I. . 
Providence, R. I. . 
Providence, R. I. . 
Woonsocket, R. I. 



Olney Arnold Pawtucket, R. I. 



Olney Arnold, II 

Albert Gallatin Barton 

TimMTiy Newell 

William James Sicinburne ■ . . 

Crawford Allen ^ 

William Oreene Nightingale . 
George Cor Lis Nigldingale. . . . 

Nathaniel French Davis 

Robert Grenville Brown * . . . . 

Reuben Aldridge Guild'-' 

William Thornton Parker^. . 

Jacob Sterry Martin 

JoJin Taggard Blodgett 



Providence, R. I 

Providence, R. I 

Providence, R. I 

Newport, R. I 

Providence, R. I 

Providence, R. I 

Providence, R. I 

Providence, R. I 

Providence, R. I 

Providence, R. I 

Newport, R. I 

Providence, R I Apr. 1. 1890 

Providence, R. I 



James Fenner Mallett Milo, Illinois Apr. 1 . 1890 



Henry Bowen 

Dexter Burton Potter. 
James Garrison Peck 



Providence, R. I. 
Providence, R. I. 
Providence, R. I. 



Apr. 19, 1880 



Oct. 29, 1890 



Names in italics indicate charter members. 

' Died Sept. 9, 189G. ^ Died Sept. 19, 1897. ^ jjjed May T, 1894. 

' Died May 13, 1899. « Resigned. 



" Died Feb. 7, 1890. 



[ 31 ] 



state 
No. 



24 
2o 
26 
37 
28 
29 
30 
31 
32 
33 
34 
35 
36 
37 
38 
39 
40 
41 
42 
43 
44 
45 
46 
47 
48 



NAME. 



Wendell Phillips Hale 

William Manuel Perez Bowen . . 
Frederick Richmond Brownell , 

Sayer Hasbrouck 

George Thomas Hart 

George Humphrey 

Charles Wyraan Hopkins 

Frederic Albert Greene 

Clarence Henry Greene 

Arthur Wellington Dennis. ... 
Willard Wheaton Tillinghast. . 

Daniel Russell Brown 

Franklin Augustus Smith, Jr. . 

Ghristcrpher Lippitt ' 

Alfred Mason Williams'^ 

Alfred Stone 

George Carpenter Arnold 

Christopher Rhodes 

Joseph Carpenter Wheaton Cole. 
Theodore Foster Tillinghast .... 
Henry VanAmburgh JosUn. . . . 

Henry Perry Porter 

Edwin Perkins Anthony 

Allen Millard Peck 

William Angell Viall 



Residence. 



Providence, R. I 

Providence, R. I 

Little Compton, R. I. 

Providence, R. I 

Providence, R. I 

Providence, R. I 

Providence, R. I 

Providence, R. I 

Providence, R. I 

Providence, R. I 

Providence, R.I 

Providence, R. I 

Providence, R.I 

Providence, R.I 

Providence, R.I 

Providence, R. I 

Providence, R. I 

Providence, R. I 

Providence, R. I 

Providence, R. I 

Providence, R. I 

Providence, R. I 

Providence, R. I 

Providence, R. I 

Providence, R.I 



Date of 
Admission. 



Mar. 28, 1891 
Feb. 12, 1891 
June 19, 1891 
June 19, 1891 
June 19, 1891 

June 19, 1891 
June 19, 1891 
June 19, 1891 
Oct. 23.1891 
Oct. 23, 1891 
Oct. 23,1891 
Oct. 23,1891 



Oct. 29,1890 



1 Died Feb. 2, 



" Died Mar. 9, 1896. 



[ 32 ] 



state 
No. 



NAME. 



Residence. 



Date of 
Admission. 



49 
.■)() 
51 

n-i 

58 

54 
55 
56 
57 
58 
59 
60 
61 
62 
63 
64 
65 
66 
67 
68 
69 
70 
71 
72 
73 
74 



Robert Perkins Brown 

Amos Micajah Hawkins 

Walter Simmons Brownell . . . 
Charles Wheaton Abbot, Jr. . 
James Wilmarth Williams. . . 

William Eaton Foster 

Joseph Balch 

George Arnold Harrison 

Louis Edgar Cady 

Alfred Eugene Cady 

Edward Dexter Morris 

Orray Tillinghast Mason 

William Abel Cranston 

Edward Smith Rhodes 

John Edwin Kendrick 

Claud Joseph Farnsworth. . . . 

Henry Taf t Guild 

William Gammcll 

John Carter Brown Woods. . . . 

James Henry Tower 

Thomas Allen Jenckes 

William Binney, Jr 

Isaac Mathewson Potter 

William Henry Giles Temple 
Roscoe Stetson Washburn. . . , 
Edmund Russell Willson 



Providence, R. I. 
Providence, R. I. 
Olueyville, R. I.. 
Warren, R. I.... 
Providence, R. I. 
Providence, R. I. 
Providence, R. I. 
Providence, R. I. 
Providence, R. I. 
Providence, R. I. 
Providence, R. I. 
Providence, R. I. 
Providence, R. I. 
Providence, R. I. 
Providence, R. I. 
Pawtucket, R. I. 
Providence, R. I. 
Providence, R. I. 
Providence, R. I. 
Providence, R. I. 
Providence, R. I. 
Providence, R. I. 
Providence, R. I. 
Providence, R. I. 
Providence, R. I. 
Providence, R. I. 



Feb. 12, 1891 
Mar. 28, 1891 
Oct. 28, 1891 
Oct. 28. 1891 
Mar. 30, 1893 

Mar. 30, 1892 
Mar. 30, 1893 
Mar. 30, 1892 
Mar. 30, 1892 
Mar. 30, 1892 
Mar. 80, 1892 
May 4, 1892 
May 4, 1892 
:\ray 4,1892 
May 13, 1892 
Aug. 22, 1892 



Aug. 22, 1893 
Aug. 22, 1892 
Aug. 22, 1892 



[ 33 ] 



state 
No. 



NAME. 



Residence. 


Date of 
Admission. 


Providence. R.I 


Aug 


22, 1892 


Capt. 25th U. S. Inf. . . 


Aug 


22, 1892 


Providence, R. I 


Aug. 


22, 1892 


Providence, H.I 


Aug 


22, 1893 


Providence, R. I 


Aug. 


22, 1892 


Providence, R. I 


Aug. 


22, 1892 


Providence, R. I 


Feb. 


12, 1891 


Providence, R. I 


Feb. 


11,1893 


Paw tucket, R. I 


Feb. 


11,1893 


Providence, R. I 


Feb. 


11,1893 


Providence, R. I 


Feb. 


11,1803 


Lt. Col. 18th U. S. Inf. 


Feb. 


11,1893 


Woonsocliet, R. I 






Providence, R.I 


Nov. 


1890 


Providence, R. I 


j\Iay 


2, 1893 


Providence, R.I 


iMay 


0, 1893 


Warwick, R.I 






Wakefield, R. I 


May 


2, 1893 


Providence, R.I 


May 


2, 1893 


Providence, R. I 


May 


2, 1893 


Providence, R.I 


May 


2. 1893 


Providence, R. I 


May 


2, 1893 


Providence, R.I 


May 


2, 1893 


Boston, Mass 


May 
May 


2, 1893 


Tiverton, R. I 


2, 1893 







Earl Philip Mason 

Charles Libbeus Hodges 

Edward Payson Denison ' 

Henry Howard 

Henry Frederick Lippitt 

Robert Lincoln Lippitt 

George Fames Barstow 

Edward Balch Knight 

John Edwin Judson , 

John Tyler Mauran 

Waldron Howard Converse. . . . 

William Henry Bisbee 

Charles Fales Ballon'^ 

Edward Otis Bartlett 

Percy Dinsmore Smith Slocum ■ 

Arthur Preston Sumner 

William Greene Roelker 

Rowland Rodman Robinson. . . . 

Lester Seneca Hill 

Samuel Heber Webb 

George Heber Webb 

Joseph Harvey Kendriek 

Edward Allen Swain 

Arthur Webster Field 

George Robert Law ton 



'Died Mar. 11, 1894. 
5 



2 Died Jan. 23, 1893. 



3 Admitted as Percy Dinsmore Smith. 



[ 34 ] 



state 
No. 



NAME. 



Residence. 



Date of 
Admission. 



100 
101 
103 
103 
104 
105 
106 
107 
108 
109 
110 
111 
112 
113 
114 
115 
116 
117 
118 
119 
120 
121 
122 
123 
124 



Providence, R. I 

Providence, R. I 

New York, N. Y 

East Greenwich, R. I. . 



Truman Beckwitb 

Wilfred Harold Munro 

Fredericlv Danne 

Will Edwin Brown 

Horatio Eliplialet Bellows Providence, R. I 

Brown Esek Smith Long Phiins, Mass 

John. Russell Bartlett | Lonsdale, R. I 

William Otis Shurrocks Providence, R. I 



May 2, 1893 



Arthur Bradford Spink 

Leroy Sprague Sanf ord 

George Metcalf Daniels 

James Helme Rickard 

Charles Henry Frencli 

Walter Boradel Vincent 

John Edward Studley 

Alonzo Williams 

Henry Martin Brown 

Arthur Middleton Thompson. 

Rolfe March Lyman 

Nathaniel Greene Totteu ' — 

William Battey Rhodes 

Moses Brown C'liace 

Isaac Harrison Soiithirick 

Isaac Hinckley Southicick 

Fredei'ick Waterman Cady. . . 



Providence, R. I 

Providence, R. I 

Providence, R.I 

Woonsoclvct, R. I. . . . 

Pawtuclvet, R. I 

Providence, R. I 

Providence, R. I 

Providence, R. I 

Providence, R.I 

Providence, R. I Jan. 

Providence, R.I .hm 

Providence, R.I Jan. 

Providence, R. I. . . 

Providence, R. I Feb. 

Providence, R.I... 
Providence, R. I. . . 
Providence, R. I. . . 



Sept 


8, 


1893 


Mar. 


30, 


1892 


Sept 


8-, 


1893 


Sept 


8, 


1893 


Oct. 


17, 


1893 


Oct. 


17, 


1893 


Oct. 


17, 


1893 


Nov. 


28, 


1893 


Nov. 


28 


1893 


Nov. 


28, 


1893 



Nov. 28, 1893 



Jan. 



17, 1894 
17, 1894 
17, 1894 
17, 1894 

14, 1894 



Apr. 18, 1894 



1 Died Aug. 2. 1897. 



[ 35 ] 



NAME. 



Residence. 



Date of 
Admission. 



William Fletcher Cady 

Robert Lewis Barker 

Jeffrey Davis , 

Royal Chapin Taft 

Manuel Francis Seymour. . . . 

Albert Frederick Browu 

Frank Irving Hammond . . . . , 

Horace Thurston , 

Arthur Ernest Austin 

Frederic Willard Easton 

Harris Smith Inman 

Harris Wilbur Brown 

William Cowper Elliot 

Walter Lee Munro 

Robert Folger Westcott 

George Wheaton, 2d 

Henry Maitland Gibson 

Frederic Eugene Barker 

John Post Reynolds 

James Henry Kingman 

Ebenezer Charles Francis. . . . 

Frederick Dicknian Carr 

Frank Augustus Sheldon. . . . 
James Cooke Manchester . . . . 
William Leonard Manchester. 
John Howard Manchester. . . . 



Providence, R. I. . 
Pawtuckct, R. I. . 
Providence, R. L . 
Providence, R. I. . 
Providence, R. L . 
Providence, R. L . 
Providence, R. L . 
Providence, R. I. . 
Providence, R. L . 
Pawtucket, R. L . 
Providence, R. L . 
Providence, R. L . 
Providence, R. I. . 
Providence, R. I. . 
New York, K Y. 
Providence, R. L . 

Bristol, R. I 

Pawtucket, R. I . . 

Bristol, R. I 

Pawtucket, R. L . 
Woonsocket, R. L 
Providence, R. L . 
Providence, R. L . 

Bristol. R. I 

Bristol, R. I 

Bristol, R. I 



Apr. 18,1894 
Apr. 18,1894 

Apr. 18, 1894 

Apr. 18, 1894 
Feb. 14, 1894 
Aug. 8, 1894 
Aug. 8.1894 
Aug. 8, 1894 
Aug. 8,1894 
Aug. 8, 1894 
Aug. 8. 1894 
Apr. 18, 1894 
Oct. 17,1894 
Oct. 17,1894 
Oct. 17,1894 
Oct. 17,1894 
Oct. 17, 1894 
Oct. 17,1894 
Jan. 16,1895 
Jan. 16,1895 
Feb. 20, 1895 
Feb. 20, 1895 
Feb. 20,1895 
Feb. 20,1895 
Feb. 20,1895 



[ 36 ] 



state 

No. 



NAME. 



Residence. 



Date of 
Admission. 



151 
152 
153 
154 
155 
156 
157 
158 
159 
160 
161 
162 
163 
164 
165 
166 
167 
168 
169 
170 
171 
172 
173 



William Thomas Church Ward well 

Alviu Herbert Ecclestou 

Lewis Fairbrother Burrrough 

Edward Simmons Jones 

Orriu Luther Bosworth 

Edwin Almeron Kenyon 

Herbert Nicholas Feuuer 

George Allen Buffum 

Ebenezer Tiffany, Jr 

Claude Potter Newell 

Nathaniel Mowry Bradley ' 

Charles Frederick Chase 

Arnold Cleveland Brown 

Isaac Lewis Goff 

Frederic Fillmore Gladding 

John Pendleton Randall 

Thomas Williams Bicknell 

Byron Jesse Lillibridge 

Geoi'ge Henry AVightman ^ 

John Jenckes 

Charles Edward Vere Kennon ■'* 

Robert Wendell Taft 

George Augustus Wall 



Bristol, R I 

Providence, R. I. 
Providence, R. I. 
Providence, R. I. 

Bristol, R. I 

Carolina, R. L . . 
Providence, R. I. 
Providence, R. I. 
Barrington, R. I. 
Providence, R. I. 
Providence, R. L 



j Woonsocket, R. 1. 
) Boston, Mass. 



Providence, R. L . . 
Providence, R. I. . . 

Bristol, R. I 

Westerly, R. I.... 
Providence, li. L . . 
Providence, R. I. . . 

Boston, Mass 

Nayatt Point, ]{. ]. 
Providence, R. L . . 
Providence, R. I. . . 
Providence, R. 1. . . 



[■ 



Feb. 
Feb. 
July 
July 
July 
July 
July 
July 
July 
July 
July 
July 
Oct. 
Nov. 
Nov. 
Nov. 
Nov. 
Nov. 
Nov. 
Nov. 
Feb. 
Feb. 
Feb. 



, 1895 
,1895 
, 1895 
, 1895 
, 1S95 
, 1895 
, 1895 
,1895 
, 1895 
, 1S95 
, lSt)5 
, 1895 
, 1«95 
, 1895 
, 1895 
, 1895 
, 1895 
, 1895 
, 1895 
,1895 
, 1890 
,1896 
,1896 



" Died July 24. 1895. 

2 Transferred to Pennsylvania Society of tlie Son.s of the American Revolution, to date from 
Feb. 9, 1899. 

^Transferred from District of Columbia Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. 



[ 37 ] 



NAME. 



Residence. 



Date of 
Admission. 



Arthur Liviiigstou Kelley 

Charles George Munro 

William Chace Greene 

Russell Winchester Knight . . . . 

Charles Warren Lippitt 

Frank Bowen 

Frank Mason Mathewson 

Charles Nourse Cook 

Frederick James Bassett 

Edward Clinton Bessom Stiness 

John Halsey DeWolf 

Frank Hill Cranston 

Hunter Carson White 

Isaac Chase Greene 

Charles Lemuel Nichols 

Francis Eliot Bates 

Harold Metcalf 

William Smith Granger 

Henry Williams Cooke 

Christopher Francis Parkhurst . 

Francis Wayland Miner, Jr 

Ernest Ayers Harris 

Charles Stephen Reynolds 

Daniel Stevens 

Harold Crins Field 



Providence, R. I. . 
Providence, R. I. . 
Peace Dale, R. I. . 
Providence, R. I. . 
Providence, R. I. . 
Providence, R. I.. 
Providence, R. I. . 
Woonsocket, R. I. 
Providence, R. I. . 
Pawtucket, R. I. . 
Providence, R. I. . 
Providence, R. I. . 
Providence, R. I. . 
Providence, R. I. . 
Worcester, Mass. . 
Providence, R. I. . 
Wickford, R. I... 
Providence, R. I. . 
Providence, R. I. . 
Providence, R. I. . 
Providence, R. I. . 
Providence, R. I. . 
Providence, R. I. . 

Bristol, R. I 

Providence, R. I. . 



Feb. 13 
Feb. 13 
Feb. 18 
Feb. 18 
Feb. 13 
Feb. 13 
Feb. 13 
July 15 
July 15 
July 15 
July 15 
July 15 
July 15 
July 15 
July 15 
July 15 
July 15 
July 15 
July 15 
July 15 
July 15 
July 15 
Jan. 20 
Jan. 20 
Jan. 20 



1896 
1896 
1896 
1896 
1896 
1896 
1896 
1896 
1896 
1896 
1896 
1896 
1896 
1896 
1896 
1896 
1896 
1896 
1896 
1896 
1896 
1896 
1897 
1897 
1897 



[ 38 ] 



state 
No. 



NAME. 



Kesidence. 



Date of 
Admission. 



199 
200 
201 
202 
203 
204 
205 
206 
207 
208 
209 
210 
211 
212 
213 
214 
215 
216 
217 
218 
219 
220 
221 
222 
223 
224 



Heury Carpenter Bradford. 
James Ilelme Rickard, Jr.. . 
Charles Falconer Stearns. . . 
Arthur Augustus Rhodes. . 

Robert Ezekiel Smith 

John Clarke Budlong 

Almeron Clarke Kenyou . . . 
Frederick Greene Hawkins. 

George Albert Ilealy . . 

Charles Wetter Boweu 

Richard Martin Bowen 

Albert Greene Bates 

Charles Stephen Davol 

John Prescott Farusworth . 

Fletcher Stone Mason 

George Ulric Arnold 

George Allen Adams 

Charles Frederick Irons. . . . 
Jolm Winthrop DeWolf. .. 

Edwin Bates Harvey 

Edwin Knowles, Jr 

Hardin Chester Waters. . . . 
Herbert Sanford Tanner. . . 

John Harvey Merrill 

Augustus Osborne Bourn. . 
John Robert Wheaton 



Providence, R. I 

Woonsocket, R. I 

. Providence, R. I 

PawtuxetjCranston.R.T, 

Providence, R. I 

Providence, R. I 

Charlestown, R. I 

Providence, R. I 

Providence, R. I 

Providence, R.I 

Providence, R. I 

Providence, R. I 

Warren, R. I 

Providence, R. I 

Providence, R. I 

Bristol, R. I 

Wickf(n-d, R. I 

Providence, R.I 

Bristol, R. I 

Providence, R. I 

Providence, R. I 

Providence, R. I 

Cranston, R. I 

Pawtucket, R. I 

Bristol, K. I 

Warren, R. I 



Jan. 20,1897 
Jan. 20, 1897 
Jan. 20, 1897 
Jan. 20,1897 
Jan. 20,1897 
Jan. 20, 1897 
Jan. 20,1897 
Jan. 20, 1897 
Jan. 20, 1897 
Jan. 20, 1897 
Jan. 20,1897 
Jan. 20, 1897 
Jan. 20. 1897 
Jan. 20, 1897 
July 21,1897 
July 21, 1S97 
July 21, 1897 
July 21,1897 
July 21, 1897 
July 21,18i»7 
July 21,1S97 
luly 21,1897 
July 21,1897 
July 21,1897 
July 21,1897 
July 21,1897 



[ 39 ] 



NAME. 



Kesidence. 



Date of 
Admission. 



George Anson Keeler ' 

Hiram Burlingham 

Henry Clinton Dexter 

Edward Bowen Hamlin 

Charles Alfred Hammond . . . 

Arthur Warren Howe 

Henry Clay Armstrong'. . . . 
Howard Tucker Metcalf . . . . 

Louis Franklin Snow 

John Willard Tillinghast. . . . 

George Hall Tillinghast 

Philip Collins Sheldon 

William Eay Greene 

Asahel Simmons Hawkins. . . 
Theodore Peacock Bogert. . . 
Charles Howard Manchester. 

Edwin Rogei's Handy 

Frederick Brown Spelman . . 
Charles Foster Tillinghast . . 
Charles Alonzo Barnard .... 

Edward Benjamin May 

Henry Brayton Rose 

Emory Poole Russell 

William Edwin Atwood . . . . 



East Greenwich, R. I. 

Newport, R. I 

Central Falls, R. I.... 

Providence, R. I 

Milford, Mass 

Providence, R. I 

Providence, R. I 

Providence, R. I. . . . . . 

Providence, R. I 

Providence, R.I 

Providence, R. I 

Paw tucket, R. I 

Providence, R. I 



Providence, R. I. 
Providence, R. I. 

Bristol, R. I 

Manville, R. I... 
Providence, R. I. 
Providence, R. I. 
Providence, R. I. 
Providence, R. I. 
Providence, R. I. 
Providence, R. I. 
Killingly, Conn.. 



July 
Nov. 
Feb. 
Feb. 
Feb. 
Feb. 
Feb. 
Feb. 
Feb. 
Feb. 
Feb. 
July 
July 



July 
Jan. 
Jan. 
Jan. 
Jan. 
Jan. 
Feb. 
Feb. 
Feb. 
Feb. 
Sept, 



1897 
1897 
1898 
1898 
1898 
1898 
1898 
1898 
1898 
1898 
1898 
1898 
1898 
1898 
1899 
1899 
1899 
1899 
1899 
1899 
1899 
1899 
1899 
1899 



' Transferred from Massachusetts Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. 
" Died Jan. 5, 1899. 



[ 40] 



state 
No. 



249 
250 
251 
252 
253 
254 
255 
256 
257 
258 
259 



NAME. 



Albert Lawton Calder, 2d Providence, R. I. 

Theodore Everett Dexter Central Falls, R. I. 

Frank Adolphus Williamson Providence, R. I. 

Alfred Francis Sliurrocks Providence, R. I. 

Frederick Henry Buffum Providence, R. I 

Artluir Henry Arnold Providence, R. I. . 

Amasa ^Mason Eaton, Jr Providence, R. I. . 



Residence. 



William Dunnell Eaton. . 

Elisba Dyer 

Hezekiah Anthony Dyer. 
Edward Perkins Jastram. 



Providence, R. I. 
Providence, R. I. 
Providence, R. I. 
Providence, R. I. 



Date of 
Admission. 



Sept. 20, 1899 
Sept. 20, 1899 
Sept. 20, 1899 
Sept. 20, 1899 
Sept. 20, 1,S99 
Sept. 20, 1899 
Sept. 20, 1899 
Sept. 20, 1899 
Sept. 20, 1899 
Sept. 20, 1899 
Sept 20, 1899 



NAMES OF ANCESTORS OF MEMBERS 



RHODE ISLAND SOCIETY 



SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 



ALPHABETICALLY AEEANGED WITH AN ACCOUNT OF THEIE 
MILITARY AND CIVIL SERVICE IN ASSISTING IN ESTABLISH- 
ING AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE TOGETHER WITH THE REF- 
ERENCES TO THE RECORD OF SUCH SERVICE 



[ 42 ] 



Preserved Abell, of Rehoboth, Mass. ; Quartermaster- 
Sergeant ; served from April 19, 1775, to January 1, 177G, at 
Roxbury and in the vicinity of Boston, Mass., in Captain 
John Perry's Company, Colonel Timothy Walker's Regiment; 
in 1778 served a month and a half in Captain Stephen Bul- 
lock's Company, Colonel Thomas Carpenter's Regiment. 
(O. W. & N. Div., Pension Bureau.) 

Walter Lee Munro, great-grandson. 
Wilfred Harold Munro, great-grandson. 

Ebenezer Adams, of Charlestown, R. I.; enlisted when 
the French war broke out, and reached the rank of Sergeant ; 
December 10, 177G, he was chosen Captain of Company of the 
Train of Artillery ; he was one of the officers of the party 
that captured General Prescott ; the thanks of the Assembly 
was voted to the officers and soldiers of the party, and the 
officers were recommended to His Excellency General Wash- 
ington for promotion, according to their merits; in Decem- 
ber, 1777, he was again chosen Captain of Company of Train 
of Artillery ; he made application to the Assembl}^ for direc- 
tion as to the disposal of certain arms and equipments cap- 
tured fiom the enemy bj' his men ; his memorandum book 
contains orders of the Adjutant-General of General Sullivan's 
army at the time of the Battle of Rhode Island, and also 
orders signed by Captain Adams ; in August, 1778, he, with 
sixty men, captured a redoubt on the island of Rhode Island, 
defended by seventy of the king's troops. 

{R. I. Colonial Records. " Revolutionary Defences in Rhode 
Island.'" Field.) 

George Allen Adams, great-great-grandson. 

Albert Frederick Brown, great-great-grandson. 

Will Edwin Brown, great-great-grandson. 

Caleb Aldrich, of Smithfield, R. I. ; Deputy in General 
Assembly from Smithfield in 1763-'69-'70-'71-'77-'78-'71) ; 
member of Town Council, 170!) to 1774, and President of 
same from 1780 to 1784; Justice of Court of Common Pleas 



[43 ] 

1781 to 1787 ; in 1779 he was a member of a committee of the 
town of Smithfield to purchase grain and beef for the supply 
of the Commissary General. 

{R.I. Colonial Records. History of Smithfield. Steers.) 
Charles Alonzo Barnard, M. D., great-great-great- 
grandson. 

Diarca Allen, of Mansfield, Conn., in 1777 enlisted in the 
Continental army ; was at Valley Forge, Battle of Monmouth, 
and in this engagement was one of the company sent out hy 
General Washington to open the battle ; served until April, 
1780, when he was honorably discharged. 

{From the written statement of Diarca Allen.) 
Edward Allen Swain, great-grandson. 

Fenner Angell, of Providence ; a soldier in the Contin- 
ental army ; for a considerable time during the Revolutionary 
War he was stationed on Dutch Island. 

(" Genealogy of descendants of Thomas Angell, who settled 
in Providence, 1636. Avery F. Angell, 1872.'") 

George Metcalf Daniels, great-great-grandson. 

Israel Angell, of North Providence, R. I. ; Major, in 1775 ; 
Lieutenant-Colonel, in 1777; Colonel, in 1777 ; as Colonel, in 
1777, commanded 2d Battalion from Rhode Island, in army 
with Wasliington in Delaware ; in 1780, in New Jersey, with 
170 men, defended a bridge against 1,500 men for forty min- 
utes while Washington was changing his position, for which 
Washington complimented his bravery in a letter to the 
Governor of Rhode Island ; he received two gold medals for 
bravery, one from La Fayette and one from Washington ; 
he was sent on two commissions by the Continental Congress ; 
retired from the army January 1, 1781. 

{R. I. Colonial Records, and Archives of the R. I. His- 
torical Society.) 

Arnold Cleveland Brown, great-great-grandson. 

Harris Wilbur Brown, great-great-grandson. 

Henry Van Amburgh Joslin, great-grandson. 



[ 4i] 

Jesse Angell, of North Providence, R. I. ; in Maj^ 1776, 
elected Ensign in tlie North Providence Company of Militia, 
and his name also appears on the return of the officers elected 
to command tlie Alarm Company of the Town of Scituate, as 
2d Lieutenant, the return being dated May 3, 1779, 

(R. I. Colonial Records.) 

George Albert Healy, great-grandson. 

Caleb Arnold, of Glocester, R. I. ; Deputy to General 
Assembly in 1773 and again in 1778; one of a committee 
appointed to receive recruits ; he was known as " Caleb 
Arnold the Patriot." 
{R. I. Colonial Records.) 

Joseph Carpenter Wheaton Cole, great-great- 
grandson. 

James Arnold, of Providence; First Lieutenant, 1776; 
Captain Lieutenant, 1778, of Kent County Rhode Island 
Militia; member of Council of War; was a signer of the 
declaration of independence of Rhode Island, 1776. 

George Carpenter Arnold, great-great-great-grand- 
son. 

James Arnold, Jr., of Providence ; member of Council of 
War, and Lieutenant and Captain in War of Revolution; 
w^as in Battle of Rhode Island and other engagements. 

(R. I. Colonial Records.) 

William Battey Rhodes, great-great-grandson. 

Joseph Arnold, of Cranston, R. I. ; Ensign of Varnum's 
Rhode Island Regiment from the 3d of Maj^ to December, 
1775 ; First Lieutenant of the First Rhode Island Regiment, 
January 1, 1777; Captain Lieutenant, June 1, 1778; re- 
signed, November 9, 1779; Captain, 1780; retired, January 
1, 1781. 

{Heitmaii's Officers of Ihe Conlinental Army. Archives of 
the State of Rhode Island.) 

Arthur Henry Arnold, great-grandson. 



[45 ] 

Nathan Arnold, of Cumberland, R. I. ; Captain of Militia, 
1770-1778, at the Battle of Rhode Island, August 29, 1778. 

Olney Arnold, great-grandson. 
Olney Arnold, II, great-great-grandson. 

John Atwood, of Scituate, R. I. ; Sergeant in Captain 
Joseph Kimball's Company, of Scituate, R. I. ; he marched 
with his company from that town February 7, 1777, and was 
in service at Warwick Neck thirty days ; also Sergeant in 
Captain Peck's Company of the first division in Colonel John 
Mathewson's Regiment, in the expedition against Rhode Island, 
in August, 1778, and served from August 6 to August 27. 

{Arcliives of the State of Rhode Island. Archives of the 
Rhode Island Historical Society.) 

William Edwin Atwood, great-great-grandson. 

Ezekiel Austin, of Exeter, R. I. ; enlisted from town of 
Jericho (now Hancock), N. Y., in spring of 177G in Cap- 
tain Root's Company, Colonel Smith's Regiment ; and was 
stationed at New York until the enemy took possession, 
thence to White Plains, and remained until term of enlist- 
ment expired, five months; enlisted in spring, 1777, in Cap- 
tain Douglas' Company, and later in Captain Smith's Com- 
pany, Colonel Rensellaer's Regiment, and was stationed 
at Albany six mouths, building forts ; later was in same 
Company, Colonel Simon's Regiment, and went to Benning- 
ton, Yt., was in that battle, also at battle of White Creek ; in 
1778 enlisted in Captain Douglas' Company, Colonel Warner's 
Regiment; was at Saratoga at the capture of General Bur- 
goyne's army ; served 18 months bj^ enlistments. 

(O. W. & N. Div., Pension Bureau.) 

Arthur Ernest Austin, great-grandson. 

Ebenezer Babcock, of Sherborn, Mass. ; enlisted April 1, 
1776, as a Drummer in Captain Caleb Brooks' Company, Col- 
onel Dike's Regiment of Massachusetts Troops ; enlisted the 
second time as Drummer in Captain Walter McFarland's 
Company, Colonel Cyjirian Howe's Regiment of Massachu- 



[ 46 ] 

setts troops, for service at Rhode Island, and served from 
July 24, 1780, to October 3, 1780; regiment raised for three 
months to re-inforce Continental army ; the third time as 
Drummer in Captain Staples Chamberlin's Company, Col- 
onel Dean's Regiment, foi' service at Rhode Island ; enlisted 
March 7, 1781 ; marched b}'' order of General Hancock ; served 
11 days. 

(O. W. & N. Div., Pension Bureau. Archives of the 
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.) 

Daniel Stevens, great-grandson. 

James Babcock, of Westerly, R. I. ; admitted a freeman 
fi'om Westerly, R. I., in 1758 ; he became Major of Militia in 
1706 ; when the Army of Observation was raised, in 1775, he 
was given the position of Lieutenant-Colonel in James M. 
Varnum's Regiment ; these troops were the first raised by 
the Colony in the War of the Revolution, and served near 
Cambridge, Mass. ; in 1777 he represented Westerly in the 
Assembly, and was appointed to advance the moneys given 
as bounties to recruits ; he was Deputy from Westerly also 
in 1762, 1764 ; he was a physician in the Revolutionary War, 
and held the rank of Colonel when he died. 

{R. I. Colonial Becords. R. I. Historical Tracts, No. 10.) 

Francis Wayland Miner, Jr., great-great-great- 
grandson. 

Joseph Balch, of Boston, Mass.; Captain in Colonel Thomas 
Craft's Regiment in the Massachusetts Train of Artillery, 
June 27, 1776; of Third Company from November 1, 1776, 
to February 1, 1777, and August 1, 1776, to September 1, 

1776 ; of Second Company from February 1, 1777, to May 8, 

1777 ; of First Company from May 0, 1777, to October 1, 1777 ; 
also in same regiment, April 30 to December 30, 1777, 

{Archives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.) 
Joseph Balch, great-great-grandson. 
Charles Warren Lippitt, great-great-grandson. 
Robert Lincoln Lippitt, great-great-grandson. 
Henry Frederick Lippitt, great-great-gi-andson. 



[47 ] 

Levi Ballou, of Cumberland, R. I. ; a Revolutionary 
patriot ; held town offices of honor ; was long a justice of the 
peace and was frequently elected to the General Assembly. 

{History and Genealogy of the Ballous in Rhode Island.) 

William Henry Bisbee, great-grandson. 

Isaac Barker, of Middletown, R. I. ; when the British 
took possession of the island of Rhode Island, in 1776, a 
Regiment of Hessians was quartered on his farm, the British 
Colonel and staff took up their abode in his family; Barker 
deceived the Colonel, pretending to be a strong Tory, and 
arranged secret signals with Lieutenant Chapin, of Colonel 
Sherburne's Regiment, in Little Compton, to disclose British 
plans, and his services to the cause of independence were 
acknowledged by General Gates to have been of great import- 
ance ; after the war he was State Senator for several years.' 

[Records of Congress. CoivelVs ''^Spirit of '76' in Rhode 
Zsland.") 

Robert Lewis Barker, great-grandson. 
Frederick Eugene Barker, great-grandson. 

Caleb Barstow, of Hanover, Mass. ; j)rivate in Captain 
John Turner's Company, Colonel Cotton's Regiment, Sep- 
tember 28, 1777, to November 1, 1777. 

George Eames Barstow, great-grandson. 

Nathaniel Bartlett, of Lebanon, Conn. ; enlisted in Cap- 
tain Peter VailFs Company of Guards, May 18, 1781. 
{Connecticut Men in the Revolution, p. 585.) 

Edward Otis Bartlett, great-grandson. 

William Barton, of Warren and Providence ; Colonel of 
a Rhode Island regiment and captor of General Prescott on 
the island of Rhode Island, July 9, 1777 ; participated in the 
operations in Rhode Island, and was wounded at Bristol, 

'See Historical Address, "Isaac Barker's Signal," in proceedings of February 22, 

1898, post. 



[ 48 ] 

R. I. ; Major-Geneml of the Militia of Rhode Island after the 
war. 

{Lives of Barton and Olneij, Williams. R. I. Colonial 
Records.) 

Albert Gallatin Barton, grandson. 

Joshua Bicknell, of Barrington, R. I. ; Private in Captain 
Thomas Allen's Company, at Bristol, April 1, 177ti ; in 1780 
was a member of Captain Viall Allen's Comj^anj^ of Barring- 
ton Militia; between 1776 and 1780, and later, served twenty 
months as a private soldier ; was member of an artillery 
company of fourteen men, commanded bj^ Captain Bosworth, 
and served about one year, until he enlisted in Colonel Crary's 
Regiment of Infantry. 

{Archives of the State of Rhode Island. O. W. & N. Div., 
Pension Bureau.) 

Thomas Williams Bicknell, grandson. 

Barnabas Binney, M. D., of Boston, Mass. ; Hospital 
Phj^sician and Surgeon in the army during the War of the 
Revolution, from October 6, 1780. 

{Heitmcmi's Officers of the Continental Army.) 
William Binney, Jr., great-grandson. 

Joel Blackington, of Wrentham and Attleboro, Mass. ; 
private in Captain Alexander Foster's Company, Colonel 
Thomas Carpenter's Regiment, at Rhode Island, on an 
alarm; enlisted July 27, 1780, served seven days; reported 
marched to Tiverton, R. I., on six days' campaign. 

{Archives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.) 

George ITlric Arnold, great-grandson. 

Jonathan Blodgett, of Hudson, N. H. ; who responded to 
Lexington alarm, April 19, 1775, in Captain Samuel Greely's 
Company ; subsequently served as a private in a New Hamp- 
shire regiment. 

{Manucd of the Society for 1892.) 

John Taggard Blodgett, great-great-grandson. 



[ 49 ] 

Benjamin Bosworth, of Bristol, R. I. ; Major of Colonel 
Martin's Regiment, State Brigade, in 177G ; Lieutenant in 
Captain Thomas Allen's Company, in 1781 ; was one of a 
committee appointed by the town of Bristol, R. I., to draw 
up resolutions of sympathy with the "Boston Tea-party," 
and contributed to the relief of Boston people, in 1774, after 
the Port Bill went into effect ; after the battle of Lexington 
served on a committee, to procure fire-arms and ammunition 
for the town of Bristol, and in December, 1775, was one of a 
committee to build entrenchments for defence of Bristol ; in 
October, 1775, he, with one other citizen, paid or furnished 
to the commander of the British fleet, the entire indemnity 
for the town and thus saved Bristol from bombardment. 

(History of Toivn of Bristol. Munro. R. I. Colonial Re- 
cords.) 

Orrin Luther Bosworth, great-grandson. 
Charles Fales Ballou, great-grandson (deceased). 

Stephen Bourn, of Swanzy, Mass. ; Sergeant in Lieuten- 
ant Samuel Brown's Company, Colonel Thomas Carpenter's 
Regiment, at Rhode Island, on the alarm of August 1, 1780 ; 
marched August 1, 1780, from Rehoboth to Tiverton, R. I., 
and there did dut}' under General Heath ; discharged August 
8, 1780 ; service, nine days. 

{Archives of the Comiiwnwealth of Massachusetts.) 

Augustus Osborne Bourn, great-grandson. 

Isaac Bowen, of Providence, R. I. ; Lieutenant of the 
First Company of Infantry of Providence, 1780, 1781, 1784 ; 
Ensign in 1779 ; in May, 1775, named for duty as night guard ; 
a signer of the following : "The Declaration of the Inhabi- 
tants of Providence." "We the subscribers do solemnly and 
sincerely declare that we believe the War, Resistance and 
Opposition, in which the United American States are now 
engaged against the Fleets and Armies of Great Britain is, 
on the part of said States just and necessary, and that we 
will not directly or indirectly afford assistance of any sort or 
kind whatever to the said Fleets or Armies during the con- 



[ 50 ] 



tiniianee of the present War, but that we will heartily assist 
in the defence of the United States." Providence, August 5, 
1776. 

(K. I. Colonial Records. Providence Town Papers.) 

Charles Wetter Bowen, gi'eat-grandson. 

Richard Martin Bowen, great-grandson.. 

Jabez Bowen, of Providence, R. I. ; occupied many civil 

offices, and, when war was de- 
clared, resigned his position 
on the Bench of the Supreme 
Court to accept the command 
of the 1st Regiment of the 
Count}^ of Providence; in 1778, 
1771), and 1780 was elected 
Deputy Governor, and through 
the whole conflict was an active 
member of the Council of War, 
and constantly consulted as to 
the Rhode Island movements 
by Generals Spencei", Sullivan, 
and Gates; he was placed on 
manj" important committees, 
and his house was the head- 
quarters for the military offi- 
cers ; the Declaration of Independence was read from the 
front balcony of his house ; in Market square, on the 
j)resent site of the What Cheer building, Washington and 
Lafayette were entertained when they came to Rhode Island, 
by Governor Bowen, and General Rochambeau was always 
his guest when in Providence; he was a delegate to the Con- 
tinental Congress in 1778. 

{Records of the State of Rhode Island.) 
Frank Bowen, great-grandson. 
Henry I)0WEN, great-grandson. 

Nathan Bowen, of Rehoboth, Mass. ; a private, enlisted 
July 27, 1780, discharged October 30, 1780; in Captain John 




Jabez Bowen's Cartridtje-Box, in the pos- 
session of the Rhode Island Historical 

Society. 



[ 51 ] 

Peny's Company in Colonel Abial Mitchell's Regiment, 
raised by act of the Great and General Court of the Massa- 
chusetts Bay, passed June 2, 1780, to re-enforce the Contin- 
ental army. 

{Archives of the CominonweaWi of Massachusetts.) 

William Manuel Perez Bo wen, great-grandson. 

George Bradford ; private in Captain David Dexter's 
Company, Colonel Israel Angell's Battalion, in the Rhode 
Island forces, in the service of the United States, from Sep- 
tember 1, 1778, to March 1, 1779 ; also private in Major Simeon 
Thayer's Company in the 1st Battalion of Rhode Island forces, 
commanded by Colonel Israel Angell, from March 1 to May 
1, 1779. 

{Archives of the State of Rhode Islcmd.) 

Henry Carpenter Bradford, grandson. 

William Bradford, of Plympton, Mass. ; Deputy from 
Bristol, R. I., May, 17(il-(32-63-G4: ; Speaker, 17G5-GG ; Deputy, 
17G8-69-70-72-73-74-75 ; May, 1773, was one of committee 
on iDreservation of rights of the Colonies ; under Royal 
Charter was elected Deputy-Governor, 1775-7G-77 ; one of 
a committee of safety ; Major-General of forces of the Col- 
onies, in 1775 ; member of Council of War during recess 
of General Assembly ; in 1776 represented Rhode Island in 
the Continental Congress ; served on following committees : 
March, 1776, to draft a letter to Congress regarding situa- 
tion of fleet then in the State; to examine Surgeons and Sur- 
geons Mates for army and navy ; of Council of War regarding 
enemj^ having taken jjossession of Rhode Island ; to order 
placing of cannon and fortifications throughout the State ; to 
confer with committees from Massachusetts Bay, Connecticut, 
and New Hampshire, regarding situation at that time ; to 
charter vessels for purchase and transportation ; June, 1776, 
a company was ordered from Prudence to Bristol to remain 
subject to his orders ; September 23, 1776, corresponded with 
General Washington as to exchange of prisoners ; in 1777 
was on committee to meet committee from New England 



[ 52 ] 

and New York in Springfield, July 30th, as to the situation 
at that time ; in 1778, Deputj^ in the House from Bristol ; 
March 12, 1778, was appointed to i-eceive back rents of farms 
in possession of State; in 1779 was member of Council of 
War ; retiring from office of Deputy-Governor a vote of 
thanks was extended him for able discharge of duties of the 
office by Deputies of the House ; re-elected Deputy from 
Bristol, 1780-81-82 ; 1780, one of committee to meet at Hart- 
ford, Conn., to fill up quota of men and provide provisions 
for army ; Speaker in 1782-83-84-85-86 ; Deputy in 1787- 
88-89-90; Speaker in 1791-92; in 1792 was 2d Senator to 
Congress. 

{R. I. Colonial Records.) 

Arthur Bradford Spink, great-great-grandson. 

James Wheaton Brayton, of Newport, R. I. ; seaman ; 
was wounded and taken prisoner during naval engagement 
with a British man-of-war, and later was confined in Jersey 
prison ship; in 1778, under General William Barton, aided 
in defense of the town of Warren against the British attack. 
Manuel Francis Seymour, great-grandson. 

Abel Brown, of Concord, Mass.; private in Captain Brown's 
Company, Colonel Nixon's Regiment, August 1, 1775 ; enlisted, 
April 25, 1775 ; served three months, fourteen days ; private 
in Captain Abishai Brown's Company, Colonel John Nixon's 
(5th) Regiment, September 30, 1775 ; private in Captain Ab- 
ishai Brown's Company, Colonel Josiah Whitney's Regi- 
ment, service at Hull ; enlisted May 1-1, 1776 ; appears among 
a list of men who were with Captain Abishai Brown in 1777 ; 
private in Captain Nathan Rowle's Company, Colonel John 
Jacobs' Regiment, service at Rliode I.sland ; enlisted February' 
27, 1778, service ten months, seven days; private in Captain 
Daniel Harrington's Company, Colonel Jonathan Reed's 
Regiment of Guards; enlisted April 2, 1778, service three 
months, two days ; on duty at Cambridge ; about September, 
1780, enlisted in the Revolutionary army, on the contin- 
ental establishment, for three jears ; enlisted at Boston, 



[ 53 ] 

marched to Springfield, from thence to West Point, where 
he was attached to Captain Mane's Company in the 2d 
Regiment, under Colonel Sprout in the Massachusetts line ; 
served three years as private soldier in said army, being then 
about three months after peace, was honorablj^ discharged 
by General Knox. 

(Archives of the Common iiuealth of Massachusetts. O. W. 
& N. Div., Pension Bureau.) 

Ernest Ayers Harris, great-great-grandson. 

Abial Brown, of Providence; with the Rhode Island 
troops and fought in the sl^irmish line at Bunker Hill, 1775 ; 
enlisted as third Sergeant of the Seventh Company, Captain 
David Dexter, in Colonel Christopher Lippitt's Regiment, 
June 18, 1776; served through the war; was at Trenton 
bridge, Princeton, and through the New Jersey campaign. 

{Spirit of ''76 in Rhode Island. CoivelJ.) 

Robert Perkins Brow^n, great-grandson. 
Edw^ard Perkins Jastram, great-great-grandson, 

Elijah Brown, of Cumberland, R. I. ; served in the Smith- 
field and Cumberland Rangers, enlisting in Maj^ 1776. 
[R. I. Historical Society, Military Paioers.) 

Frederick Brown Spelman, great-grandson. 

Esek Brown, of Glocester, R. I. ; Ensign of 3d Company 
of Trained Band of Glocester, from 1781 to 1784 ; Captain in 
Continental army, and a pensioner for his services in the 
Revolution. 

{Chad. Brown Memorial.) 

Brown Esek Smith, great-great-grandson. 

John Brown, of Providence ; leader of party that de- 
stroyed H. B. M. shij) Gaspee, June 10, 1772 ; furnished 
munitions of war to the Continental army, and assisted in 
raising recruits for the same ; taken prisoner in irons to 
Boston for participation in the " Gaspee Affair," 1775 ; mem- 
ber of General Assembly during the Revolutionary War ; 



[ 54] 

Delegate to Continental Congress, 178-t, 1785 ; member of 
Congress, 1799. 

{Archives of the State of Rhode Island.) 

John Carter Brown Woods, great-great-grandson. 
Am AS A Mason Eaton, great-grandson. 
William Bunnell Eaton, great-great-grandson. 
Amasa Mason Eaton, Jr., gi-eat-great-grandson. 

Nicholas Brown, of Providence ; wlio was among the 
first to take measures against the imposition of unjust taxes 
and to protest against the unlawful acts of British officers; 
furnished munitions of war and assisted in raising recruits 
for the Continental army ; member of committee appointed 
by Congress to build vessels for the Continental navy ; Com- 
missioner to adjust accounts between Rhode Island and the 
United States. 

{Archives of the State of Rhode Island.) 

John Carter Brown Woods, great-great-grandson. 
Robert Grenville Brown, great-grandson (de- 
ceased). 

Robert Brown, of Newport, R. I. ; a vote of thanks and 
applause of Colonel Brown for the repulse of Captain Wallace's 
fleet at Fort Brown or Dumplings Castle was passed by Gen- 
eral Assembly at October sessions, 1775; M<iy, 1775, Colonel 
2d Regiment, King's County ; May and October, 1770, Colonel 
of 2d Regiment of Militia in County of Kings; was tendered 
a vote of thanks by the General Assembly for able assistance 
for the relief of town of Jamestown ; powder and lead ordered 
to be delivered to him ; elected assistant, May, 1779 ; elected 
5th Justice of Inferior Court of Common Pleas and General 
Sessions of the Peace, within and for County of Kings, Sep- 
tember, 1779, and May, 1780 ; appointed by General Assembly 
to receive recruits in South Kingstown, July, 1780. 

{R. I. Colonial Records.) 

Albert Frederick Brown, great-great-grandson. 
Will Edwin Brown, great-great-grandson. 



[55] 

Jonathan Brownell, of Westport, Mass. ; Lieutenant ; 
who died from injuries received at Bunker Hill. 

Walter Simmons Brownell, great-grandson. 
Frederick Richmond Brownell, great-grandson. 

Sylvester Brownell, of Westport, Mass. ; in Colonel Pres- 
cott's command at Bunker Hill, 1775, and of General Sulli- 
van's command at Long Island. 

{Archives of the CommonweaUh of Massachusetfs.) 
Frederick Richmond Brownell, grandson. 
Walter Simmons Brownell, grandson. 

Samuel Budlong, of Warwick, R. I. ; private in Captain 
Rice's Company, Colonel John Waterman's Regiment, Decem- 
ber, 1776, January, 1777 ; the town of Warwick, in 1781, 
voted to pay one shilling a day in cash to those of that town 
producing a certificate of service from their commanding 
officer ; such payments were made to Samuel Budlong and 
Samuel Budlong, Jr. 

{Military Papers, R. I. Historical Society.) 

John Clarke Budlong, M. D., great-grandson. 

Samuel Budlong-, Jr., of Warwick, R. L ; private in Cap- 
tain Allen Johnston's Company, Thomas Tillinghast's Regi- 
ment, R. I. Militia. (See also Samuel Budlong.) 

{Military Papers, R. I. Historical Society.) 
John Clarke Budlong, M. D., grandson. 

Hezekiah Bugbee, of ; Ensign in Cap- 

tain Joshua Bottom's Company, Lieutenant-Colonel Levi 
Well's Regiment, raised in spi-ing of 1780. 

{Record of Connecticut Men in the Revolution.) 
Hardin Chester Waters, great-grandson. 

John Buttrick, of Concord, Mass. ; Major, in command of 
the Continental soldiers, at North Bridge, in Concoi-d, and 
gave, perhaps, the first command to " fire " in the Revolution ; 
in the Massachusetts State House in the "Doric Hall" are 
two bronze cannons, on each of which is this inscription : 



[5Q] ■ 

"The Legislature of Massachusetts consecrate the names of 
Major John Buttrick and Captain Isaac Davis, whose valor 
and example excited their fellow citizens to a successful re- 
sistance of a superior number of British troops at Concord 
Bridge, the 19th April, 1775, which was the beginning of a 
contest in arms that ended in American Independence." 

{History of Concord, Mass. Inscription in Massachusetts 
State House.) 

Edmund Russell Willson, great-grandson. 

Jonathan Cady, of Killingly, Conn. ; Lieutenant in Fourth 
Company, Captain Joseph Cady, 11th Connecticut Regiment, 
Colonel Williams, May 18, 1774 ; Captain in Colonel Conant's 
Connecticut Regiment, May 25, 1779 ; marched with his com- 
pany to West Chester, September, 1776. 

{Public Records, Connecticnt, May Session, 177Jf. O. W. & 
N. Div., Pension Bureau.) 

Frederick Waterman Cady, great-great-grandson. 

Alfred Eugene Cady, great-grandson. 

Louis Edgar Cady, great-grandson. 

William Fletcher Cady, great-grandson. 

James Calder, of Boston, Mass. ; private in Lieutenant 
Hopestill Hall's 2d Company, which marched on the alarjn of 
April 19, 1775, fi'om Dorchester; served three daj^s ; private 
in Captain John Baker's Companj^ Colonel Samuel Gerrish's 
Regiment ; enlisted May 11, 1775, served two months, twenty- 
one days ; private in Captain Pettingill's Company, Colonel 
Gerrish's (Baldwin's) Regiment ; encamped at Sewall's Point, 
September, October, November, 1775 ; his name appears on 
an order for Bounty Coat, or its equivalent in money, due for 
eight months' service, in 1775, in C'aptain Joseph Pettingill's 
Company, Colonel S. Baldwin's (o8th) Regiment, dated Sewall's 
Point, November 19, 1775. 

{Archives of the Commonivealth of Massachusetts. O. W. 
& N. Div., Pension Bureau.) 

Howard Tucker Metcalf, great-grandson. 

Albert Lawton Calder, 2d great-grandson. 

Howard Metcalf, great-grandson. 



[ 57 ] 

Joseph Capron, of Cumberland, R. I. ; in December, 1776, 
he was drafted, and served one month as private in Captain 
Reuben Ballou's Company, at Bristol, R. I., in Major Fiske's 
Regiment ; in the year following he became a member of the 
classified militia of the town of Cumberland, R. I., commanded 
by Captain Reuben Ballon, and was called out to render alter- 
nate monthly tours of duty as occasion demanded ; in this 
manner, between January and December, 1777, it is estimated 
that he served not less than four months, and between Jan- 
uar^^ and December, 1778, served not less than four months, 
in the same manner, under Captain Amos Whipple ; in 1779 
served about three months, making his entire services about 
twelve months. 

(O. W. & N. DiLK, Pension Bureau.) 

Frank Mason Mathew^son, great-grandson. 

Daniel Carlisle, of Westmoreland, N. H. ; enlisted as 
private. May 1, 1775, in Captain Jacob Hind's Company, 
Colonel James Reed's Regiment ; Captain of a company in 
Colonel Bedel's Regiment, from New Hamj^shire, Februar}^, 
1776 ; was Captain of same regiment at Crown Point, Mon- 
treal, Quebec, and Ticonderoga. 

{Archives of the State of New Hampshire.) 

Isaac Chase Greene, great-grandson. 

John Carpenter, of Rehoboth, Mass. ; enlisted for three 
years in company under Captain Hix. 

{History of Rehohoth. Bliss.) 

Joseph Carpenter Wheaton Cole, great-great- 
grandson. 

Wanton Casey, of East Greenwich, R. I.; member during 
the Revolutionary War of the Kentish Guards of East Green- 
wich. 

{History of East Greenwich. Greene.) 

William Maxwell Greene, grandson. 

8 



[ 58 ] 

Asa Chace, of Swansea, Mass, ; private in Continental 
army, from Massachusetts. 

(O. W. & N. Die, Pension Bureau.) 

Moses Brown Chace, great-grandson. 

Ezra Chase, of Haverhill, Mass. ; Ensign in Captain 
Daniel Johnson's Third Foot Companj^ of Haverhill, in 1757 ; 
served on Committee of Inspection, January 30, 1775 ; private 
in Colonel Johnson's Regiment, Captain Colby's Company, 
April 19, 1775, and marched on the alarm to Cambridge; in 
1777 was chosen on Committee of Correspondence and Safety ; 
October 0, 1777, on Committee to Supply Soldiers' Families ; 
in 1779 loaned money to the town ; in 1780 furnished supplies 
to the soldiers. 

{History of HaverJiill, by George W. Chase.) 

Charles Frederick Chase, great-grandson. 

Thomas Church, of Little Compton, R. I. ; Colonel com- 
manding a Rhode Island regiment at the siege of Boston ; 
Commissioner to exchange prisoners ; Colonel of the Army 
of Observation, 1775. 

{R. I. Colonial Records.) 

Frederick Richmond Brownell, great-grandson. 
Walter Simmons Brownell, groat-grandson. 

Earl Clapp, of Rochester and Woodstock, Conn. ; April 
24, 1775, authoi'ized to enlist a company of 59 men as soldiers 
in the "Massachusetts service for the promotion of American 
liberty;" May 19, 1775, commissioned Captain of Second 
Companj', Colonel Cotton's Regiment; July 1, 1775, to Jan- 
uary 1, 177G, Captain in 16th Regiment of the Massachusetts 
Continental line ; January 1, 1770, to June 1, 1777, Captain 
in 21st Regiment Massachusetts Continental line; 1777, on 
detached service commanding guard boats in New York Har- 
bor, North River, and Jersey shore; July 20, 1777, com- 
missioned Major of Colonel Dan forth Key's Massachusetts 



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[ 50 ] 

State Regiment ; July 27, 17S(), commissioned Major of Col- 
onel John Jacobs' Massachusetts State Regiment. 
(0. W. & N. Div., Pension Bureau.) 

Arthur Preston Sumner, great-great-grandson. 

Joshua Clarke, of Richmond, R. I. ; served in Revolu- 
tionary War as private in Ensign John Larkin's Division, in 
Captain Jonathan Maxon's Companj^ Colonel Dyer's Regi- 
ment ; ordered on duty b}'' Governor Nicholas Cook, Novem- 
ber 8, and continued in service to December 8, 1777. 

{Archives of the State of Rhode Istand.) 

Edwin Knowles, Jr., great-great-grandson. 

Richard Cole, of Foster, R. I. ; Ensign in Fourth Com- 
pany of Scituate, R. I., 1781 ; Ensign of Second Company of 
Foster, R. I., 1784. 

{R. I. Colonial Records.) 

Joseph Carpenter Wheaton Cole, great-grandson. 

Ariel Cook, of Cumberland, R. I. ; enlisted July, 1775, for 
four months as private under Captain Elisha Waterman ; 
September, 1776, served three months as private under Cap- 
tain Williams ; September, 1777, served one month as private 
under Captain Amos Whipple ; August, 1778, served one 
month under Captain Amos Whipple ; August, 1780, served 
one month as private. 

{Archives of the State of Rhode Island.) 

Charles Nourse Cook, great-great-grandson. 

Nathaniel Cook, of Cumberland ; in June, 1776, he served 
as a private in Rhode Island in a company of minute-men 
commanded by Colonel George Peck, and in the fall of that 
year served one month as private in Colonel Peck's Company; 
in October, 1776, he enlisted on board the frigate "Alfred" of 
the Continental navy, John Paul Jones commander, the ship 
then lying at Holmes Hole ; upon putting to sea she cruised 
to the eastward and took several prizes, one of which was 



[ <50] 

the British ship "Mellish," having on board eleven thousand 
stand of arms and tlie same number of uniforms destined for 
the Britisli army ; his service on the " Alfred " covered a 
period of seven months; in October, 1777, he was a member 
of Colonel Geoi-ge Peck's Comijany in Spencer's expedition 
against the British on Rhode Island, and in December fol- 
lowing he served in the same company one month at War- 
wick ; in August, 1778, he participated in Sullivan's expedi- 
tion against Rhode Island, serving one month and taking 
part in the battle of Rhode Island. 
{O. W. & N. Div., Pension Bureau.) 

Frank Adolphus Williamson, great-great-grandson. 

Ananias Cooke, of Smithfield, R, I. ; private in Captain 
Amos Whiijple's Company, in Colonel John Matthewson's 
Regiment, Second Division, August and September, 1778. 

{Oriqinal muster-roll in private collection of Fred A. Arnold, 
Esq.) ■ 

John Edwin Kendrick, great-grandson. 

'VO ft P L 

> 'Sr^ Charles Cooke, of ; private in Colonel 

^l^ ^^ Tophtim' i o Rliodo Island Rogimont i 



'^h ( .1 .v7. ."i^^c r.yih,? f^inin nf T?L,uln Trlfiud'^ 



^fSXt^ Tduj^ ^"t w PiiiLir CoLLiND Sheldon, grotit groat grandoon 



il P«*i3tuuj»J^ Nicholas Cooke, of Providence; he was Deputy Gov- 
JK ^ j^ ernor of the Colon 

.. (Vh^v^K jj^Q^^yiy elected Governor of Rhode Island when Joseph 



#J5 a" ji ernor of the Colony of Rhode Island, and was unani- 

fft^M, "VK v*»^j^\Yj^j-,^qj-^ ^,^g suspended fi-om the office of Governor of Rhode 

^*'*** , ' Island for his Torj^ sentiments. 

X(^ yf^ (^. I- Colonial Records.) ' 

AJWnl^^'H *V Henry Williams Cooke, great-great-grandson. 

• iL. \^^(#\ Stephen Cooper, of Glocester, R. I.; was private in Captain 

' James Parker's Company in Colonel Archibald Crary's Regi- 

ment, from June 0, 1778, to September 16, 1778; served through 
the war ; at close of the war he was elected Ensign of Com- 



[ 61 ] 

pany of light Infantry in the town of Glocester, in May, 17S;i. 
{Archives of the State of Rhode Island.) 

Hunter Carson White, great-great-graiKlson. 

Paris Corey, of West Greenwich, R. I.; served three years 
and nine months, most of the time as private in Captain Eben- 
ezer Macoraber's Company in Colonel Jeremiah Olney's Regi- 
ment. 

(O. W. & N. Div., Pension Bureau.) 

Frank Irving Hammond, great-grandson. 

George Corlis, of Providence ; member of the committee 
" to see that the association entered into b}^ the Continental 
Congress be strictly adhered to by all persons within this 
(Providence) town." December, 1774. 

(JR. I. Colonial Records.) 

George Corlis Nightingale, great-great-grandson. 
William Greene Nightingale, great-great-grand- 
son. 

Benjamin Cranston, of Warren, R. I. ; Quartermaster on 
the galley "Spitfire," Captain Joseph Crandall; private in the 
army, served a period of thi'ee years in both branches of the 
service. 

(O. W. & N. Div., Pension Bureau.) 

William Abel Cranston, great-grandson. 

Samuel Cranston, of Newport, R. I. ; served as Sergeant 
in the Rhode Island troops. Revolutionary War, for two 
years, a part of the time under Colonel Jeremiah Olney. 

{Archives of the State of Rhode Island. O. W. & N. Div., 
Pension Bureau.) 

Frank Hill Cranston, great-grandson. 

Daniel Daggett, of Attleboro, Mass. ; Sergeant in Captain 
Jabez Ellis' Company of minute-men, January 5th, 1776 ; 
private in Captain Elisha May's Company, Militia, August 



[ G2 ] 

23, 1778 ; Lieutenant in Captain Enocli Robinson's Company, 
July 31, 1780; private in Captain Sam. Robinson's Company, 
Colonel Dean's Regiment, in Rhode Island, March 6, 1781 ; 
of Captain Moses Wilmarth's Comj^any, Massachusetts Regi- 
ment, in 1781. 

{Archives of the CommonweaUh of Massachusetts, Boston, 
Mass.) 

Charles Henry French, great-great-grandson. 

Ellas Dart, of Bolton, Conn. ; who enlisted April 1, 1782, 
in Captain Durkee's Company ; taken prisoner by the British, 
and discharged April 1, 1783. 

{Connecticut Men in the Revolution.) 

Daniel Russell Brown, grandson. 
Henry Martin Brown, grandson. 

Joshua Davis, of North Kingstown, R. I. ; Major of 2d 
Regiment, Kings County, R. I. 
{E. I. Colonial Records.) 

Jeffrey Davis, great-grandson. 

Benjamin Damon, of Amherst, N. H.; private in the army 
of the Revolution. 

{Damon Memorial, page 38.) 

Edward Allen Swain, great-grandson. 

Nathaniel Day, Jr., of Rhode Island ; private in Captain 
Anthony Potter's Company in Colonel Mathewson's Regi- 
ment, in the expedition against Rhode Island, August 22 to 
31, 1778; served also in Captain William Lawless' Company 
in Colonel Archibald Crary's Regiment, from Maj" IG to Aug- 
ust 16, 1778. 

{Archives of the State of Rhode Island.) 

Albert Greene Bates, great-grandson. 

Enos Dean, of Taunton, Mass. ; in December, 177G, served 
22 daj's as Commander of a detachment of guards to prevent 



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[ 63 ] 

Highlanders (prisoners) from escaping- from Taunton jail, 
upon alarm of December 8, 1776 ; private in Caj)tain James 
Cooper's Company in Colonel Gamaliel Bradford's Regiment, 
from February 14, 1777, until arrival at Bennington, March 
14, 1777 ; he also appears as having joined the above Com- 
pany, April 1, 1777, and to have been mustered in Februarj^ 
1,1778; appears also as Sergeant, upon the roll of the 4th 
Com pan}', Captain James Cooper, Colonel Bradford's Regi- 
ment, from February 4, 1777, to December 31, 1779, and 
marched to Bennington, and on another roll from January 
1, 1780, to February 14, 1780; discharged from service 
December 17, 1780, the roll on which this appears being 
dated at the "Hutts near West Point." 
{Archives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.) 

Isaac Lewis Gopp, great-grandson. 

Gilbert Denison, of ; private in Captain 

William Stanton's Company of the 8tli Regiment of Con- 
necticut Militia, August 6, 1780. 

(Connecticut Men in the Revolution.) 

Walter Boradel Vincent, great-grandson. 

Isaac Denison, of Stonington, Conn. ; served from 1775- 
1781 as a member of Committee of Correspondence and Pub- 
lic Safety, and was an active patriot. 

{Connecticut Men in the Revolution. '■^Record of the de- 
scefidants of Capt. George Denison.^'') 

Rev. Frederic Denison, grandson. 

Edward Payson Denison, great-grandson (deceased). 

John D'WoIf, of Bristol, R. I. ; served as private in Rhode 
Island troops in the Revolutionary War ; under Captain 
Carr and Colonel Nathan Miller, and also on the letter of 
marque " Patty " and the brig " Sally." 

(O. W. & N. Div., Pension Bureau.) 

John Halsey De Wolf, great-grandson. 

John Winthrop De Wolf, great-great-grandson. 



[ 64 ] 

Anthony Dyer, of Cranston, R. I.; in January, 1776, he was 
enrolled in the troop of light horse called the Captain Gen- 
eral's Cavaliers, Colonel Benjamin Slack, and was appointed 
First Sergeant, serving in said capacity until July 14, 1777, 
when he was honorably discharged ; this organization per- 
formed many tours of duty as a body and in detachment, 
being located at Point Judith, Tower Hill, and along both 
shores of Narragansett Bay ; in September, 1776, was ordered 
to his troop on the island of Rhode Island, where he served 
six weeks ; from thence he was ordered to Tower Hill, where 
he served five weeks ; from there he was ordered to Point 
Judith, where the troop was located when the British landed 
at Newport ; this troop was largel}' occupied in carrying dis- 
patches on occasions of alarm. 

(O. W. & N. Div., Peusioii Bureau.) 

Elisha Dyer, great-grandson. 

Hezekiah Anthony Dyer, great-great-grandson. 

Daniel Eames, of Haverhill, Mass. ; loaned money to the 
town for the purpose of paying soldieis. 
{History of Haverhill.) 

George Eames Barstow, great-great-grandson. 

Samuel Eames, of Haverhill, Mass. ; belonged to First 
Company of the town of Haverhill, Mass. ; loaned money to 
the town for the purpose of i^aying soldiers. 

{History of Haverhill.) 

George Fames Barstow, great-great-great-great- 
grandson. 

Ithamar Eaton, of Weare, N. H. ; private in Captain 
John Hale's Company in Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Gerrish's 
Regiment, New Hampshire Volunteers, in General Gates' Sar- 
atoga Campaign, September 2!) to October 25, 1777 ; Ensign 
in Captain Aaron (Juimby's Company in Colonel Moses 
Kelly's Regiment, New Hampshire Volunteers, in General 
Sullivan's army on Rhode Island, August 6 to August 27, 



[ (^5 ] 

1778; Lieutenant, 1780; Major of Second Battalion,- New 
Hampshire Militia, 1792 ; Colonel, New Hampshire Militia, 

1800. 

{Archives of the Commomuealth of Massachusetts.) 

William Eaton Foster, great-grandson. 

Noah Eaton, of Framingham, Mass. ; Third Sergeant iii 
Captain Simon Edgels Company which marched on the alarm 
of April 19, 1775, to Concord and Cambridge; served 14 days ; 
Corporal in Captain Walter McFarland's Company in Colonel 
Cyprian How's (Middlesex) Regiment, enlisted Julj^ 24, 1780, 
discharged October 30, 1780, served three months and ten 
days ; this company was raised to re-inforce the Continental 
army for three months and was stationed in Rhode Island ; 
also Sergeant in Captain John Haj^ward's Company in Col- 
onel Webb's Regiment, entered August 21, 1781, discharged 
December 1, 1781, served three months ; company raised to 
re-inforce the Continental army for three months. 

{Archives of the Conwionwealth of Massachusetts.) 

Amasa Mason Eaton, great-great-grandson. 
Amasa Mason Eaton, Jr., great-great-great-grandson. 
William Bunnell Eaton, great-great-great-grand- 
son. 

Gershom Eccleston, of North Stonington, Conn. ; private 
in Captain Christopher Brown's Militia Company, Colonel 
Oliver Smith's Regiment, 1778 ; March, 1778, joined Captain 
Benjamin Clark's Company at Fort Griswold ; was in con- 
tinual service until July 25, 1778, when he was discharged ; 
July 30, 1778, was drafted and joined Captain Richard 
Hewitt's Company, in New London, in General Tyler's Bri- 
gade ; served there till his discharge, March 1, 1779. 

(O. W. & N. Die, Pension Bureau.) 

Alvin Herbert Eccleston, M. D., great-grandson. 

Barnard Eddy, of Providence; at the outbreak of the War 

■J 



[ ««^ ] 

of the Revolution his services were in constant demand ; 
soon after the Concord and Lexington fight, in anticipation 
of an attempt on the part of the British to march toward 
Providence, by vote of the town, he was appointed with 
others as watch, for the better protection of the town from 
surprise or attack ; his name appears for three nights ; Sep- 
tember 6, 1775, he was appointed on a committee to report a 
list of men's names, guns, baj^onets, cartridges, cartridge 
boxes, flints, powder and balls, swords and pistols, in the 
hands of the inhabitants of Providence ; at a town meeting 
held October 25, 1775, a committee was appointed "To direct 
where and in what manner, fortifications shall be made upon 
the hill to the southward, of the house of William Field, at 
Field's Point;" these works were immediately built, and 
Captain Barnard Eddj^ superintended their consti'uction ; 
this fort is now well preserved and is called Fort Independ- 
ence. (See plate.) 

(Providence Town Papers. Revolutionary Defences in 
Rhode Island. Field.) 

Charles Lemuel Nichols, great-great-grandson. 

William Eddy, of Rehoboth, Mass ; a soldier in the Revo- 
lutionary War, and was allowed a pension for seven mouths' 
service in the Rhode Island troops ; a part of the time he 
served under Captain James Hill and Colonel Walker. 

(0. W. & N. Div., Pension Bureau.) 

Augustus Osborne Bourn, great-grandson. 

William Eddy, of Providence, R. I. ; in May, 1775, served 
one month as a private at Cambridge in Captain Smith's 
Company, Colonel Gridlej^'s Regiment of Artiller}- ; in Julj^ 
177G, served two months as private in Crown Point and Lake 
Champlain exi)editions, in Captain Barnard Eddy's Company 
of Rhode Island Militia, under General Spencer ; October, 
1777, served two months as private in Captain James Hill's 
Company, Colonel Walker's Regiment of Massachusetts 



[ 67] 

Militia, and was in Spencer's expedition ; in May, 1777, 
served one month at Bristol in same company, and in Aug- 
ust, 1778, served one month in same company, in Sullivan's 
expedition, and was detached to boat service under Captain 
Eddy. 

(O. W. & N. Div., Pension Bureau.) 

Frederick Willard Easton, great-grandson. 

James Eldredge, of Stonington, Conn. ; May 1, 1775, was 
1st Lieutenant of 3d Company, Connecticut troops ; July 1st, 
1775, Captain; discharged December 10, 1775; in 1776, in 
10th Continental Regiment, Colonel Parsons ; after siege of 
Boston marched under Washington to New York and assisted 
in fortifying the city ; in battle of Long Island, August 29 ; 
caught in the panic in retreat from New York, September 
15 ; with the armj^ at Wliite Plains, October 28 ; remained 
in vicinity of Peekskill under General Heath till December 
31, 1776; in 1st Regiment, Connecticut line, 1777 and 1778; 
took the field at Peekskill in spring of 1777, and remained 
there till ordered under General McDougall to Washington's 
army in Pennsylvania, September, 1777; engaged in battle 
of Germantown, October 4 ; wintered at Valley Forge in Hun- 
tington's Brigade during winter of 1777-78 ; in service from 
May, 1775, to January 2, 1778. 

{Connecticut Men in the RevoJution.) 

RoLFE March Lyman, great-grandson. 

James Henry Eldredge, M. D., grandson (deceased). 

James Elliot, of Gloucester, Mass. ; was a marine and 
soldier in Revolutionary War ; Corporal in Captain Reuben 
Sibley's Company, Colonel Jacob Davis' Regiment ; served 
at Rhode Island ; enlisted July 30, 1780 ; discharged August 

7, 1780. 

{A Sketch of tlie Eliot Family, by Walter Graeme Eliot, 
New York City, 1887.) 

William Cow^per Elliot, great-grandson. 



[ 68 ] 

Ephraim Emerson, of Rehoboth, Mass. ; private in Cap- 
tain Jolm Fuller's Company, Colonel Bradford's Fourteenth 
Massachusetts Regiment, June 5, 1780 ; at Springfield, N. J., 
and West Point, N. Y., in Simeon Cole's Company, Colonel 
Dean's Regiment, Massachusetts Continental line, March 6, 
1781 ; re-enlisted April 18, 1781, and served until surrender 
at YorktoM^n. 

{Archives of the Comniomuealth of Massachusetts.) 

Edward Dexter Morris, great-grandson. 

Nathaniel Fales, of Bristol, R. I. ; Deputy from town of 
Bristol in General Assembly and member of Committee of 
Safety. 

(i?. I. Colonial Records.) 

Charles Fales Ballou, great-grandson (deceased.) 

Walter Fanning, of Stonington, Conn.; enlisted in the 
Continental army on the call for troops. May 9, 1775 ; he was 
discharged with the rest at the end of enlistment, December 
15, 1775 ; the Gth Regiment, Colonel Samuel Holden Parsons, 
was recruited from New Loudon, Hartford, and present 
Middlesex counties ; remained on duty at New London until 
June, when the regiment was ordered to the Boston camps, 
in Roxbury, by the Governor's Council ; remained there till 
the term of service expired. 

{Connecticat Men in the Revolution.) 

Francis Wayland Miner, Jr., great-great-grandson. 

Amos Farnsworth, of Groton, Mass. ; private in Captain 
Heni-y Farwell's Company, Colonel William Prescott's Regi- 
ment, which marched on the alarm of April 19, 1775, from 
Groton, service six days ; Corporal in Captain Farwell's Com- 
pany, Colonel William Prescott's Regiment ; enlisted April 
25, 1775, service 98 days ; Ensign in Colonel Jonathan Reed's 
Regiment, in 177G-1777 ; 1st Lieutenant in Captain William 
Swan's Company of Matrosses of the (5th Middlesex County 
Regiment, commissioned October 19, 1778 ; joined company 
of minute-men in 1774, at Groton, under Captain Henry Far- 



[ G9 ] 

well and served from Concord to Bunker Hill, when he was 
wounded, and furloughed till September ; he was in continu- 
ous service until the end of the war ; at Ticonderoga, in 1776 ; 
in New Jersey under Washington for some time in 1777, but 
served principally in his own State ; commissioned Major in 
July, 1704. 

(BuUer^s History of Groton. Greene's Groton Records. 
Archives of the Comvionwealth of Massachusetts.) 

John Prescott Farnsworth, great-grandson. 
Claude Joseph Farnsworth, great-grandson. 

Arthur Fenner, Jr. ; Member of the General Assembly 
which repealed the Act of Allegiance to the English Govern- 
ment, 1776 ; Governor of Rhode Island ; was prominent in the 
civil and military affairs of the State. 

{R. I. Colonial Records.) 

James Fenner Mallett, great-grandson. 

Richard Fenner, Jr., of Johnston, R. I. ; 1775, appointed 
by General Assembly of Rhode Island, Lieutenant of Johnston, 
1st Company of Militia ; 1776, Captain of same ; 1778, Major 
of 1st Regiment of Militia, in the County of Providence; 

1779, Major of same; 1779, Lieutenant-Colonel of same; 

1780, Major of same; 1780, Lieutenant-Colonel of same. 
{R. I. Colonial Records.) 

Herbert Nicholas Fenner, great-great-grandson. 

John Field, of Providence, R. I. ; May 15, 1775, member 
of the watch ordered by the Town Council of Providence to 
give notice should any attempt be made by the British to 
attack the town, served three nights. 

{Providence Town Papers.) 

Arthur Webster Field, great-great-grandson. 
Edward Field, great-great-great grandson. 

Daniel Fish, of Dighton, Mass. ; private in Captain 
James Hill's Company, Colonel Williams' Regiment, served 
at Tiverton, R. I. ; enlisted September 29, 1777 ; discharged 



[ 70 J 

October 30, 1777 ; also was private in Captain Nathaniel 
Carpenter's Company, Colonel Tiiomas Carpenter's Regi- 
ment, for service at Rhode Island on the alarm of December 
8, 1776; marched from Relioboth, Mass., to Bristol, R. I., 
enlisted December 8, 1776, and served 14 days. 

{Archives of the Common wealtJi of Massachusetts.) 

Harold Crins Field, great-great-great-grandson. 

Moses Foster, Sr., Ipswich, Mass., and Milford, N. H. ; 
private in Captain Abraham How's Massachusetts Company 
on occasion of Lexington alarm, April 19-20, 1775 ; in Clen- 
eral Snlli van's arni}^ on Rhode Island, Januarj^ 10, 1778, to 
January 1, 1779. 

{Archives of the Commomvealth of Massachusetts.) 
William Eaton Foster, great-grandson. 

Timothy Foster, of Walpole, Mass. ; Sergeant in Captain 
Nathaniel Healy's Company, Colonel Ebenezer Larned's 
Regiment, wliich marched on alarm of April 19, 1775, six 
daj's' service; Ensign in same comjjany, April 24, 1775, had 
three and a half months' service ; 2d Lieutenant in Captain 
William Carter's Company, 5th Worcester County Regiment, 
commissioned April 4, 1776 ; Lieutenant in Captain Natlianiel 
Healy's Company, Colonel Jonathan Ilolman's Regiment, at 
Rliode Island, on the alarm of December, 1776 ; served 21 
days ; Lieutenant in Massachusetts Regiment, Colonel Jona- 
than Holman's Company, September 26, 1777 ; served 30 
days; 2d Lieutenant in Colonel Jonathan Holman's 5th Wor- 
cester County Regiment ; commissioned September 25, 1778. 

{Archives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.) 

Frederick Dickman Carr, great-great-grandson. 

Aaron Francis, of Beverly, Mass. ; Corporal in Captain 
Ebenezer Francis' Company, Colonel Mansfield's Regiment, 
August 1, 1775, enlisted May 4, 1775, served three months 
and five days ; Corporal in same company, October 6, 1775 ; 
Quartermaster in Colonel Ebenezer Francis' Regiment, Feb- 
ruary 3, 1777 ; Quartermaster in Colonel Benjamin Tupper's 



[ 71 ] 

Massachusetts RegimeDt at Valley Forge, April 8, 1778 ; En- 
sign and Quartermaster in same regiment from January 1, 
1777, to December 31, 1779 ; promoted to Lieutenant and 
commissioned July 4, 1780 ; Lieutenant and Acting Quarter- 
master in Colonel Benjamin Tupper's Regiment from Jan- 
uary 1, 1780, to December 31, 1780 ; Lieutenant in same 
regiment from January 1, 1781, to January 1, 1782 ; also 
served from January 1, 1778, three months and fifteen days; 
reported resigned, April 16, 1782. 
(Archives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.) 

Ebenezer Charles Francis, great-grandson. 

Abraham Fuller, of Colchester, Conn. ; Captain ; was 
present with company at the " Danbury Raid," April 25-28, 
1777, at New York ; marched August 22 ; discharged Septem- 
ber 30, 1776. 

{Connecticut Men in the Revolution.) 

Henry Brayton Rose, great-great-grandson. 

Benadam Gallup, of Groton, Conn.; Major and Commander 
of a regiment of Connecticut Militia. 

[Connecticut Men in the Bevolution.) 

Rev. Frederick Denison, grandson. 

Paris Gardiner, of South Kingstown, R. I. ; Adjutant in 
Colonel Sands' Regiment, 1777 ; Captain Second Company 
South Kingstown Division, State Militia, 1779, 1780. 

[R. I. Colonial Records.) 

Edwin Perkins Anthony, great-great-grandson. 

David Gifford, of Dartmouth, Mass. ; June, 1775, Lieu- 
tenant First Company of Militia, Portsmouth ; February, 
1776, Captain First Company of Militia in Portsmouth ; also 
Captain of same, May, 1776 ; December, 1776, proceeded with 
flag of truce to Rhode Island, under direction of the Gov- 
ernor ; May, 1777-1780-1781, appointed Deputy from Ports- 
mouth ; August, 1777, Lieutenant of Major Monroe's Cora- 



[ 72 ] 

pany : July, 1780, aijpointecl from Portsmouth to receive 
recruits. 

(R. I. Colonial Be cords.) 

William Thomas Church Wardwell, great-grand- 
son. 

Obadiah Gill, of ; enlisted at Brattle- 

boro, Vt., August, 1775, for eight months, with Captain Har- 
vey, of Montague, Mass., in Colonel Brewer's command at 
Charlestown, for siege of Boston ; in 177G volunteered for 12 
months with Captain Aaron Haj'den in Colonel Asa Whit- 
comb's Regiment of Massachusetts ; was at Lake Champlain 
when Benedict Arnold's flotilla was destroyed ; discharged at 
Ticonderoga, N. Y. 

(O. W. & N. Div., Pension Bureau.) 

John Edward Studley, great-grandson. 

Nathan Goodale, of Brookfield, Mass. ; Major in the 
Massachusetts line in the army of the Revolution. 

(Archives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.) 

William Maxwell Greene, great-grandson. 

Benjamin Gorton, of ; private in Captain 

Jeremiah Olney's Company, Colonel Hitchcock's Regiment, 
1775, army of Observation. 

[CowelVs Spirit of ^76 in Bhode Island.) 

Christopher Francis Parkhurst, great-great-grand- 
son. 

Nathaniel Gove, of Preston, Conn. ; Second Lieutenant 
in 8th Connecticut Regiment, Colonel Huntington, 8th Com- 
l^any, commissioned July (J, 1775 ; First Lieutenant in 17th 
Continental, Connecticut, 1776 ; taken prisoner in battle of 
Long Island, August 27, 1776. 

{Becord of Connecticut Men in the Berolution.) 

William Smith Granger, great-grandson. 




LIEUT. NATHANIEL GOVE, 
First Lieutenant ITth Continental Infantry (Connecticut). 



[ 73 ] 

Thomas Gray, of Tiverton, R. I. ; Captain of one of the 
companies of the Army of Observation, raised in Newport 
and Bristol Connties, in June, 1775 ; at a meeting of the 
General Assembly of Rhode Island, held October 7, 1776, he 
was elected Lieutenant-Colonel of the 1st Regiment of Militia, 
of Rhode Island, for Bristol County. 

{Sjjirit of ""76 in Rhode Island. R. I. Colonial Records.) 

Hiram Burlingham, great-great-great-grandson. 

Christopher Greene, of Warwick, R. I. ; Member of Com- 
mittee of Public Safety ; one of the earliest commanders of 
the Kentish Guards, which corps he helped to organize in 
1774 ; a volunteer in Sullivan's expedition to Rhode Island, 
in which he occupied an honorable command under his 
brother. General Nathanael Greene ; member of State Con- 
vention which ratified the Constitution of the United States. 

{R. I. Colonial Records.) 

William Chace Greene, great-grandson. 
William Maxwell Greene, grandson. 

Jacob Greene, of Warwick, R. I. ; 1775, member of Com- 
mittee of Safety from Kent County, R. I.; member of General 
Assembly from May, 1771, to May, 1777 ; in 1776 aided in 
securing passage of the act, repealing act of allegiance to the 
king, and in February, 1777, was appointed Math another to 
go to Baltimore to receive monej" due Rhode Island from the 
Continental treasury ; March 27, 1778, w^as appointed Com- 
missary of Purchases by Major General Nathanael Greene. 

{R. I. Colonial Records.) 

Harris Smith Inman, great-grandson. 

Joseph Greene, of East Greenwich, R. I. ; Sergeant in 
Colonel Fry's Rhode Island Regiment, having entered the 
service at the commencement of the war, and rendered 
twenty-two months and twenty-seven days actual service ; 
served in the Kentish Guards. 

(O. W. & N. Div., Pension Bureau.) 

Frederick Fillmore Gladding, great-grandson. 

10 



[ 74] 

William Greene, Jr., of Warwick ; member of Committee 
for Measures of Safetj^ October, 1775 ; member of Legis- 
lature repealing act of allegiance to Great Britain, May, 
1776 ; First Associate Justice of Superior Court, August, 177G; 
Chief Justice, May, 1777 ; member of Council of War, Decem- 
ber 10, 1776 ; Commissioner to meet commissioners from the 
other colonies, December, 1777 ; Governor of Rhode Island, 
May, 1778-1786 ; member of Electoral College that elected 
George Washington president of the United States, October, 
1792. 
(R. I. Colonial Records.) 

William Greene Roelker, great-great-grandson. 

William Greene Nightingale, great-great-grand- 
sou. 

George Corlis Nightingale, great-great-grandson. 

Aaron Guild, of Dedham, Mass.; Ensign in Captain Fales' 
Compan}^ of Colonel Nichol's Regiment of Foot; also Cap- 
tain in same company ; member of Committee of Safety, 
1774 ; Muster Master, 1775 ; member of Committee to Make 
Provision for the Families of Non-Commissioned Officers 
and Soldiers, 1779 ; of Committee of Correspondence and 
Safety, 1780-1781 ; Major in Colonel William Heath's Regi- 
ment on the alarm of April 19, 1775 ; served 16 days ; chosen 
1st Major of Colonel William Mcintosh's (1st Suffolk County) 
Regiment, by the Legislature of Massachusetts, February 14, 
1776. 

{Genealogy of the Guild Family, Burleigh, 18S7. Archives 
of the Commonwecdth of Massachusetts.) 

Reuben Aldrige Guild, great-grandson (deceased.) 

Joseph Guild, of Dedham, Mass.; Captain of Company of 
minute-men ; member of the Committee of Safety ; Muster 
Master, 1775; a Selectman and Representative; authorized 
to enlist soldiers bj^ the following order : "In Committee of 
Safety Cambridge 24 April 1775 To Mr. Joseph Guild, Sir: 
You are hereby empowered immediately to enlist a company 
to consist of b^) able bodied and effective men including ser- 



[75] 

geants as soldiers in the Massachusetts service for the pre- 
servation of American Liberty and cause them to pass muster 
as soon as possible 

Jas Warren Chairman " 

{Archives of the CommonweaWi of Massachusetts.) 

Henry Taft Guild, great-great-grandson. 

Asaph Hall, of Wallingford, Conn. ; raised troops for the 
war ; 1st Lieutenant with his company' at taking of Fort 
Ticonderoga b}^ Colonel Ethan Allen ; member of State 
Legislature ; Captain of Militia ; member of convention 
whicli adopted the Federal Constitution, 1788 ; 1st Lieuten- 
ant, 4th Connecticut Continental Line, 2d Battalion, General 
Wooster's Regiment, 1777 ; Captain, Colonel Sheldon's Regi- 
ment, 2d State Battalion, 1779 ; member of General Court of 
Connecticut, 1773-97. 

{Archives of the State of Connecticut.) 

Charles Edward Vere Kennon, great-grandson. 

Samuel Hamlin, of Middletown, Conn. ; a signer of "The 
Declaration of the Citizens of Providence/' of August 5, 1776 ; 
Lieutenant of the 2d Providence Company (Lewis Peck, Cap- 
tain), First Regiment, Providence Militia, of which John 
Mathewson was Colonel in 1778, and Amos Atwell in 1779. 

{R. I. Colonial Records. Providence Town Papers.) 

Edward Bowen Hamlin, great-grandson.' 



'5 to' 



Robert Harrison, of ; private in Colonel 

Israel Angell's 2d Rhode Island Regiment in 1777-78-79 and 
80 ; in 1781-82 and 83 of Colonel Christopher Greene's and 
Colonel Jeremiah Olney's 1st Rhode Island Regiment; served 
through the war, and participated in battles of Red Bank, 
N. J., October 22, 1777; Monmouth, N. J., June 28, 1778; 
Springfield, N. J., June 23, 1780; and Yorktown, Va., October 



' Edward Bowen Hamlin is also the great-grandson of Isaac Bowen, of Providence 
whose services are stated on page 49. 



t 7G] 

19, 1781; enlisted from town of Johnston, R. I., in March, 1777 ; 
discharged from army, June 3, 1783. 
(O. W. & N. Div., Pension Bureau.) 

George Arnold Harrison, great-grandson. 

Josiah Harvey, of East Haddam, Conn. ; Surgeon's Mate 
in Captain John Fellow's Eegiment ; engaged, June 8, 1775 ; 
served one month and twenty-seven days ; Captain of Berk- 
shire Company, same regiment, and acted as Surgeon's Mate. 

{Archives of the Coininonwealth of Massachusetts.) 

Edwin Bates Harvey, M. D., great-grandson. 

Elias Hasbrouck, of Kingston, Ulster County, New 
York ; Captain of the Ninth Company of the Third Regi- 
ment of New York, Colonel James Clinton, June 20, 1775, 
with General Montgomerj^ at Quebec. 

{History of Kingston^ hy Marius Schooninalier. American 
Ancestry, Munsell, Vol. VI.) 

Sayer Hasbrouck, M. D., great-grandson. 

John Hastings, of Cambridge; entered the army, 1775; 
Captain, May 25, 1777, in Henry Jackson's Regiment, IGth 
Massachusetts, called the Boston Regiment, and partici- 
pated in the engagement at Monmouth, Quaker Hill, and 
Springfield, N. J. ; in Colonel John Brooks' Regiment, 7th 
Massachusetts, in 1783. 

{Memorial Volume of the Massachusett Society of the Cin- 
cinnati.) 

Henry Maitland Gibson, great-grandson. 

John Henshaw, of Newport, R. I. ; Second Lieutenant in 
Captain John Warner's Company, Colonel Robert Elliott's 
Regiment of Artillery, March IG, 1779 ; served two years. 

(O. W. (& N. Div., Pension Bureau.) 

Alfred Eugene Cady, great-grandson. 
Lew^is Edgar Cady, great-grandson. 




E8EK HOPKINS, 
Commander-in-Chief op the American Navy, 1775. 



[ 77 ] 

David Holmes, of Woodstock, Conn. ; Surgeon in Colonel 
John Chandler's Sth Regiment, Connecticut Line Formation, 
1777-1781; Captain in French and Indian war, 1757-1758- 
1759, 

[Connecticut Men in the Revolution.) 

Hardin Chester Waters, great-great-grandson. 

Nehemiah Holt, of Windham, Conn. ; Sergeant in Cap- 
tain Dyer's Company of Colonel Durkee's Continental Regi- 
ment, and assisted in removing and melting into bullets the 
leaden statue of George III, at New York, in 177G ; was at the 
battle of Long Island and the skirmish of Harlem Heights ; in 
the retreat through New Jersey, and in the battles of Trenton 
and Princeton ; he was also for three months in the State ser- 
vice as 1st Sergeant, 5th Company, Colonel Hezekiah Wylly's 
Regiment, August 7, 1780, serving at Forts Trumbull and 
Griswold. 

{A Genealogical History of the Holt Family in the United 
States.) 

Charles Alfred Hammond, great-great-grandson. 

Esek Hopkins, of Providence, R. I. ; August, 1775, was 
appointed commander of the garrison at Fox Point, in Provi- 
dence, on a threatened attack by British ships; in October 
1775, was appointed to the command of a force of six hun- 
dred men for special service, to repel a force from the British 
fleet on a foraging expedition to the island of Rhode Island 
in quest of live stock ; later in the same month he was ap- 
pointed, with Joseph Brown, to go through the Colony and 
decide what places should be fortified and in what manner; 
October 4, 1775, he was commissioned Brigadier-General by 
Governor Nicholas Cook; December 22, 1775, he was confirmed 
by Congress the Commander of the first naval fleet, organized 
and equipped by the colonies ; he sailed from Delaware Bay, 
February 17, 1776, made a descent on New Providence March 
o, and captured the forts, with a large amount of military 
stores and upwards of 100 cannon, with which he sailed for 
New England; April 4tli he captured the British schooner 



[ 78 ] 

'Hawke," of six guns, Captain Wallace, and on the 5th the 
bomb brig " Bolton," of eight guns ; on the Gth he engaged 
the frigate "Glasgow," of 20 guns, and after an action of 
three hours she escaped into Newport under protection of 
the British squadron ; the records show that after his retire- 
ment from the navy he was constantly engaged in duties of 
a public nature. 

(Esek Hopkins, Commander-in-Chief of the American 
Navy, hi) Edward Field, Providence, 1898. B. I. Colonial 
Records.) 

Frederick Greene Hopkins, great-great-great-grand- 
son. 
Amos Micajah Hawkins, great-great-grandson. 
Asahel Simmons Hawkins, great-great-grandson. 

Samuel Hopkins, Jr., of West Greenwich, R.I. ; committee 
to make a list of persons in West Greenwich able to bear arms, 
March, 1777 ; committee from same town to procure blankets 
for soldiers, April, 1777 ; appointed Captain of First Com- 
pany of Militia of same town. May, 1779, and June, 1780 ; 
member of committee to receive recruits for said town, Jul}', 
1780. 

{R. I. Colonial Records.) 

Charles Wyman Hopkins, great-great-grandson. 

Stephen Hopkins, of Providence ; Governor of Rhode 
Island, Chief Justice, Delegate to Congress, and member of 
Council of War ; one of the signers of the Declaration of 
Independence. 

{R. I. Colonial Records.) 

Theodore Foster Tillinghast, grcat-great-great- 
grandson. 

Charles Foster Tillinghast, great-great-great- 
grandson. 

Ezekiel How, of Sudbury, Mass. ; in 1775 he was Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel of the Fourth Regiment of Middlesex County 




LIEUT. EZEKIEL HOW. Jr. 

{From an old paintinr/). 



[ 79 ] 

Militia ; May 10, 177(3, he was chosen by the Legislature Col- 
onel of the regiment and held his commission until Januar}^ 
26, 1779, when he resigned ; he participated in the fight at 
the old North Bridge at Concord, April 19, 1775. 

(Archives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. History 
of Sudbury, Mass. Hudson, 1889. BenVs ''Wayside Inn.'') 

Amasa Mason Eaton, great-great-grandson. 

Am ASA Mason Eaton, Jr., great-great-great-grand- 
son. 

William Bunnell Eaton, great-great-great-grand- 
son. 



Ezekiel How, Jr., of Sudbury, Mass. ; private in Captain 

Moses Stone's Company ; Lieu- 
tenant, Colonel How's Regi- 
ment, which marched on the 
alarm of April 19, 1775, from 
Sudbury ; Corporal in Cap- 
tain Jonathan Rice's Com- 
pany, Colonel Samuel Bullard's 
Regiment ; enlisted, August 17, 
1777, served three months and 
twenty-four days ; this service 
was with the Northei'n army ; 

Watch formerly belonginjr to Lieutea- he participated iu the fight at 
ant Ezekiel How, Jr. 1 r^ j a •^ -it\ -t nn cf j 

Concord, April 19, 1775, under 
command of his father, Lieutenant-Colonel How. 

[Archives of the Conunonwealth of Massachusetts.) 

Amasa Mason Eaton, great-grandson. 

Amasa Mason Eaton Jr., great-great-grandson. 

William Bunnell Eaton, great-great-grandson. 




'This watch was bouarht by Lieutenant Ezekiel How, Jr., of a captured British 
officer during: the campaijjn ending in Burgoyne's surrender. At the battle of Sara- 
toga, when the music stopped as the armies advanced to combat. Lieutenant How 
gave this watch to a companion, asking him to give it, if he fell iu battle, to his be- 
trothed, Sarah Read, of Sudbury, whom he afterwards married. He often used to 
relate the interesting scene when General Burgoyne, taking his sword by the point and 
offering the hilt to General Gates, surrendered his army. 



[ 80] 

Moses Howe, of Vermont ; received pay from the State 
of Vermont for conducting six British jirisoners from Brattle- 
boro to Castleton, by order of the Sheriff ; served four days 
as Lieutenant in Captain Squire Howe's Company of Horse, 
in the service of the State, to assist the Sheriffs at Guilford, 
in September, 1782, in Brigadier-General Fletcher's Brigade. 

{Archives of the State of Vermont.) 

Arthur Warren Howe, great-great-grandson. 

William Humphrey, of Swansey and Rehoboth, Mass. ; 
Lieutenant in Arnold's expedition to Canada, 1775, where 
he was taken prisoner and paroled, August 11, 1776 ; Captain 
in Colonel Israel Angell's Regiment, 1780 ; commissioned 
Major by General Washington ; participated in battles of 
Springfield and Yorktown ; member of the Societj^ of the 
Cincinnati. 

{Archives of the State of Rhode Island.) 

George Humphrey, grandson. 

Jabez Hyde, Jr., of Pomfret, Conn. ; served in Captain 
Jolin Perkin's Company', of Norwich, Conn., Colonel Jedediah 
Huntington's Regiment ; responded to Lexington alarm. 

{Connecticut Men in the Revolution.) 

James Helme Rickard, great-grandson, 

James Helme Rickard, Jr., great-great-grandson, 

William Jackson, of Goshen, Orange County, N, Y. ; 
Captain of id Company of Colonel Clinton's New Windsor 
Regiment, Orange County, N. Y., in 1775 ; later he was trans- 
ferred to Colonel Henry B. Livingston's Regiment ; one of a 
Committee of Safety and Observation, for Hanover Precinct, 
Orange County, N. Y., May 8, 1775. 

{Orange County History. Documentary History of Neiv 
York:) 

Theodore Peacock Bogert, great-great-grandson. 

John Jenckes, of Providence, R. L ; member of the Gen- 
eral Assembl}- from Providence, 1772-73-71:-75 ; from North 



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[ 81 ] 

Providence, 1779-80-81-82-83 ; from Providence again in 
1785-8G-88-89 ; in January, 1774, was one of a committee to 
correspond with neighboring towns on all matters thought to 
effect the liberties of America; December, 1774, one of a 
committee to purchase powder, lead, and flints; October, 1775, 
one of a committee to act during the recess of the General 
Assemblj', upon any sudden emergencj", with full j)ower to 
act for the safetj^ of the Colonj' ; February, 177*5, one of a 
committee to erect a powder mill ; July, 1776, appointed a 
committee, with the Governor, to fit out a vessel to procure 
powder, arms, and warlike stores ; December, 1776, authorized 
to purchase goods which were brought into Providence on 
the prize vessel " Friendship," on the best terms possible on 
behalf of the government; May, 1777, authorized to deliver 
powder, lead, &c., to the towns of Westerly, South Kings- 
town, and Richmond; September, 1778, appointed, with the 
Hon. William Bradford, to take into their care and custody 
the ship "Aurora" and sloop "Diamond," with cargoes, and 
to sell the same to best advantage for the State ; May, 1779, 
chosen a member of the Council of War; February, 1780, 
one of a committee to lease out real estate taken possession 
of by the Colony ; May, 1780, member of the Council of War ; 
October, 1780, one of a committee to revise an act on Contin- 
ental bills ; January, 1781, one of a committee to prepare a 
bill to prevent the trade illicitly carried on with the enemy ; 
October, 1781, one of a committee to sell all the sugar in their 
possession belonging to the State; November, 1782, one of a 
committee to settle the accounts of the General Treasurer 
with the State ; February, 1783, one of a committee to burn 
bills of emission of the State ; June, 1783, one of a committee 
to enquire into the debt of the State ; December, 1783, one of 
a committee to draft an act relative to the issuing of certifi- 
cates ; February, 1784, one of a committee to examine certain 
pay rolls ; October, 1784, one of a committee to present the 
Address of Welcome of the General Assembly to the Marquis 
De Lafayette. 

{E. I. Colonial Records.) 

John Jenckes, great-grandson. 
11 



[ 82 ] 

Jeremiah Jenks, of Smithfield, R. I. ; in 1776 signed the 
"Association Test ;" Jnlj^ 24, 177G, he was chosen Lieutenant 
of the Newport, N. H., Volunteers, and left, June 9, 1777, to take 
part in the capture of Ticonderoga. 

{Genealogy of Jeul's Family of Newport, X. H.) 

Thomas Allen Jenckes, great-grandson. 

Thomas Johnson, of Newbury, Vermont ; Captain of 
Volunteers from Newbury, 1777 ; Colonel and Aid to Gen- 
eral Lincoln at Ticonderoga; captured by the British and 
held as a prisoner in Canada, 1781 ; paroled October 5, 1781, 
and subscribed to the following parole : "I Lieut Col John- 
son now at St Johns, do hereby pledge my faith and word of 
honor to his excellency Gen. Holdimand whose permisssion I 
have obtained to go home, that I shall not do or saj^ anything 
contrary to his Majestys interest or government ; and that 
whenever required so to do I shall repair to whatever i)lace 
his excellency or any other his majesty's commander-in-chief 
in America shall judge expedient to order, until I shall be 
legally exchanged and such other person as shall be agreed 
upon sent in my place, given under my hand at St. John's 
the fifth day of October one thousand seven hundred and 
eighty-one 

Col Thomas Johnson " 

{History of Coos County, by Rev. Grant Powers, A. M., 
1840.) 

Wendell Phillips Hale, great-grandson. 

Barnabas Jones, of Providence, R. L; private in Captain 
Aaron llaynes' Company, Colonel Asa Whitcomb's Regiment, 
in camp at Ticonderoga, December 1, 1776 ; enlisted, May 1, 
1776 ; time of service, seven months ; discharged August 1, 
1776 ; private in Captain Aaron Haynes' Company, Colonel 
Asa Whitcomb's Regiment, in camp at Ticonderoga, Decem- 
ber 1, 1776 ; enlisted, August 30, 1776 ; time of service, three 
months, one day ; reported on command at the saw-mill ; in a 
list of men mustered in Suffolk County to serve in Captain 
Asa Haynes' Company, Colonel Edward Wigglesworth's Regi- 



[ 83 ] 

raent, by a return made bj^ Nathaniel Barlow, dated Boston, 
February 2, 1777; enlisted for three yeai'S ; received £20 
bounty; private in Captain Aaron Haynes' Company, Colonel 
Edward Wigglesworth's Regiment, in service on or before 
August 15, 1777; private in Captain Aaron Haynes' Company, 
Colonel Edward Wigglesworth's Regiment, in May, 1778; at 
Valley Forge, Maj- 2, 1778; enlisted for the war; private in 
Captain Aaron Haynes' Company, Colonel Wigglesworth's 
Regiment, June, 1778; at Camp Greenage, July 22, 1778, 
June 28, 1778 ; reported taken captive, released from cap- 
tivity, being exchanged and joined since muster; private in 
Captain Aaron Haynes' Company, Colonel Wigglesworth's 
Regiment, October, 1778 ; private in Captain John K. 
Smith's Company, Colonel Wigglesworth's Regiment, at 
Providence, May 5, 1779 ; March and April, 1779 ; enlisted, 
February 1, 1777; private in Captain John K. Smith's 
Company, Colonel Smith's (formerly Wigglesworth's) Regi- 
ment, from January 1, 1777, to June 24, 1779 ; received a 
pension from the United States government ; the follow- 
ing extract from his pension papers relates to his ser- 
vice : " I John Westcott of Providence, on oath do say that 
Barnabas Jones of Providence belonged to Colonel Wiggles- 
worth's regiment in General Glover's Brigade, and was a good 
and faithful soldier and served to my knowledge over nine 
months and was honorably discharged ; these facts were 
within ray knowledge at the time, being a Lieutenant in Gen- 
eral Sullivan's Guard." (Signed) John Westcott 

{Archives of the Commonivealth of Massachusetts. 0. W. 
& N. Div., Pension Bureau.) 

Edward Simmons Jones, great-grandson. 

John Judson, of Woodbury, Conn. ; Ensign in Revolu- 
tionary armj^ enlisting from Woodbury in 1776, 
{History of Ancient Woodbury.) 

John Edwin Judson, great-great-grandson. 

John Kaull (of Germany), Providence and Newport ; in 
October, 1779, he enlisted as private in Captain Thomas' 



[ 84] 

Company of Colonel Lamb's Re.s^iment of the Connecticut 
Continental line ; he participated in tlie battle of Kings 
Bridge and was at the reduction of Yorktown at the time 
Cornwallis surrendered ; in this engagement he was badly 
wounded in the hand by a bayonet and was in the hospital 
for some time in consequence of the wound. 
(O. W~. & N. Div, Pension Bureau.) 

Frank Adolphus Williamson, great-grandson. 

Aaron Keeler, of Norwalk, Conn. ; served from nearlj' 
the beginning of the war till the disbanding of the army in 
1783 ; he enlisted from Norwalk, Conn., in the oth Regiment, 
under Captain Samuel Comstock (afterwards Major) his 
maternal uncle; he was appointed Corporal, April 21, 1777 ; 
Sergeant-Major, August 20, 1780, and Ensign, April 22, 1781 ; 
he was present at the battles of Fort Mifflin, November 10, 
1777, and at Monmouth, June 28, 1778. 

{Archives of the State of Connecticut. 0. W. & N. Div., 
Pension Bureau.) 

George Anson Keeler, great-grandson. 

Micajah Kelley, of Amesbury, Mass.; enlisted, June, 1777, 
in Captain Dodge's Company, Colonel Francis' (New Hamp- 
shire) Regiment ; re-enlisted, July, 1779, in Captain Jonathan 
Leavett's Company, Colonel Mooney's (New Hampshire) Regi- 
ment. 

(O. W. & N. Div., Pension Bureau.) 

Arthur Livingston Kelley, great-grandson. 

Oliver Kendrick, of Dedham, Mass.; April 19, 1775, private 
in Captain Ebenezer Battles' Company on occasion of the 
Lexington alarm; December 1, 1775, enlisted at Roxbury, 
Mass., as Sergeant in Captain Wallbridge's Company in Col- 
onel Reed's Regiment of the Massachusetts Continental line; 
served 14 months. 

{Archives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. O. W. 
& N. Div., Pension Bareau.) 

Joseph Harvey Kendrick, grandson. 

John Edwin Kendrick, great-grandson. 



[ 85 ] 

Ezra Kent, of Rehoboth, Mass.; appears among a list of 
officers of the Massachusetts Militia, chosen by 10th Company 
of Bristol County Regiment as 2d Lieutenant in Captain Jos. 
Franklin's Company, Colonel Thomas Carpenter's Regiment, 
commissioned by order of Council, October 10, 1776 ; 2d Lieu- 
tenant, Captain Jos Franklin's Company, Colonel Thomas 
Carpenter's Regiment, on the alarm of December 8, 177G ; 
marched to Bristol, R. I. ; 1st Lieutenant in Captain Jabez 
Bullock's Company (10th Company), Colonel Thomas Car- 
penter's Regiment (1st Bristol County Regiment), commis- 
sioned, April 13, 1779 ; 1st Lieutenant in Captain Jabez 
Bullock's Company, Colonel Thomas Cari^enter's Regiment, 
service at Rhode Lsland on the alarm of August 1, 1780; en- 
listed August 1, 1780; served nine days under General Heath; 
marched to Tiverton, R. I. 

{Archives of the Convmoniuealth of Massachusetts. 

Fletcher Stone Mason, great-great-grandson. 

Caleb Kenyon, of Charlestown, R. L ; private in Captain 
Alexander Thomas' Companj^ in Colonel John Topham's Regi- 
ment, from July IG, 1778, to August 16, 1778. 

{Archives of the State of Rhode Island.) 

Edwin Almeron Kenyon, great-grandson. 

William Kenyon, of Richmond, R. I. ; served as private 
in Captain Eben Adam's Company of Artillery in Colonel 
Robert Elliott's Regiment, from December 20, 1776, to March 
8, 1777. 

{Archives of the State of Rhode Island.) 

Almeron Clark Kenyon, great-grandson. 

Timothy Ketcham, of Huntington, L. I.; signed the 
pledge made May 8, 1775, to support the cause of the col- 
onies in their struggle for independence, and, when the 
British landed on Long Island, joined the army ; was in the 
battle of Long Lsland, serving in General Putnam's Brigade ; 
he was wounded in the battle of Fairfield, Conn., when the 
town was burned by Governor Tryon ; he recovered from the 



[ 80 ] 

wound, again joined the armj'- and served to the close of the 
war. 

{Records of the University of the State of New Yorli.) 

Edwin Rogers Handy, great-grandson. 

Daniel Kinnicutt, of Barrington, R. I. ; Ensign of the 
Barrington Militia Companj'' in 1775, and in Captain Thomas 
Allen's Company at • Bristol, April 1, 1770; promoted to 
rank of Lieutenant by vote of Grand Committee of both 
houses of General Assembly in 1770, holding the same posi- 
tion in 1779 and later; from 1775 until 1779 on duty with his 
company, as Coast Guard from Nayatt Point to Bristol. 

{Archives of the State of Rhode Island.) 

Thomas Williams Bicknell, great-grandson. 

Robert Knight, Sr., of Cranston, R. I. ; served in the 
Captain-General's Cavaliers, Colonel Benjamin Slack and 
Colonel Manton, during the war. 

{Archives of the State of Rhode Island.) 

Edward Balch Knight, great-grandson. 
Russell Winchester Knight, great-great-grand- 
son. 

Robert Knight, Jr., of Cranston, R. I. ; served in the 
troop of horse called the Captain-Genei'al's Cavaliers. 

{Archives of the State of Rliode Island.) 

Edward Balch Knight, grandson. 

Russell Winchester Knight, great-grandson. 

Ezekiel Ladd, of Haverhill, N. II. ; Captain in Colonel 
Timothy BedeFs (New Hampshire) Regiment, from June 1, 
1778, to April 1, 1779; from April 1, 1778, to April 1, 1779, 
his company was engaged in the defence of the frontier on 
and iidjacent to the Connecticut River. 

{Arcliives of the State of New Hampshire.) 

Frederick James Bassett, great-great-grandson. 



[ sn 

Joseph Ladd, of Haverhill, N. H. ; private in a party of 
men under the command of Sergeant James Ladd, raised by 
order of the Court of New Hampshire for the defence of the 
frontier at Coos, from January 28 to April 9, 1782; private 
in Captain Ebenezer Webster's Company of Rangers, raised 
for the defence of the frontier, from April 10 to October 21, 
1782 ; private in Captain Ezekiel Ladd's Company in Colonel 
Timothy Bedel's Regiment, raised for the defence of the 
frontier on the Connecticut River; enlisted April 11, 1778; 
served eleven months and twenty days. 

{Archives of the State of New Hampshire.) 

Frederick James Bassett, great-grandson. 

Abial Lane, of Norton, Mass. ; Corporal in West Militia 
Company of Foot, in Mansfield, Mass. (minute-men), other- 
wise the 7th Company of Colonel John Daggett's Regiment 
of Attleboro, Bristol Count}', Colony of Massachusetts Bay, 
April 19, 1775 ; 11 da3^s' service ; in the companj^ commanded 
by Captain John Allen, of Norton ; also in Colonel Thomas 
Carpenter's Regiment of Detachment of Militia, in Bristol 
County, July 27, 1780 ; in liieutenant Ephraim Grover's Com- 
pany of Colonel I. Dean's Regiment, or 4th Regiment of 
Militia of Bristol County, August, 1780; nine days' service; 
also in Captain Josiah Keith's Company of Colonel I. Dean's 
Regiment, March 4, 1781; served 13 days; Ensign in Sliep- 
ard's Regiment of Artiller}' from Massachusetts, January and 
March, 1776, and January 1, 1777, to March 1, 1779. 

{Archives of the Cornmonivealth of Massachusetts.) 

William Otis Shurrocks, great-great-grandson. 
Alfred Francis Shurrocks, great-great-grandson. 

John Larcher, of Providence ; sea captain and pilot 
during tlie War of the Revolution ; it is said he acted as 
pilot when the French fleet entered Narragansett Bay in 
1780; in 1780 was paid £0. 2s., lawful silver monej^, for 
rent of rooms furnished two French surgeons, viz. : Mons. 



[ 88 ] 

Frownee and Mons. Segur ; aucl for providing quarters for 
another French officer he was allowed and \)a[d i;i. 3s. 
(''Our French Allies;' Slone.) 

Charles Warren Lippitt, great-great-grandson. 
Robert Lincoln Lippitt, great-great-grandson. 
Henry Frederick Lippitt, great-great-grandson. 
Truman Beckwith, great-great-grandson. 

George Lawton, of Portsmouth, R. I. ; January 10, 1777, 
private in Colonel John Cook's Rhode Island Regiment ; 
while on duty at this date at Fogland Ferry he was wounded 
in the leg and left arm by a cannon-shot from a British ship 
lying in the Seaconnet River. 

{E. I. Colonial Eecords.) 

George Robert Lawton, great-grandson. 

Robert Lawton, of Portsmouth, R. L ; 1781-1782-1783, 
Deputy from Portsmouth to General Assembly of Rhode 
Island. 

{R. I. Colonial Records.) 

George Robert Lawton, great-grandson. 

Augustus J. Lewis, of Charlestown, R. I. ; in November, 
1775, belonged to the Second Company of Militia in Charles- 
town, R. I., Captain Amos Greene ; he continued in this 
organization from November, 1775, to November, 1776, doing 
duty in guarding the south shores of the town of Charles- 
town, as far west as Quonochontaug Neck, and eastward to 
Green Hill and Point Judith, in town of South Kingstown, for 
periods of one to three weeks at a time ; during this time he 
went on to Point Judith on three occasions of alarm, when 
Wallace, who commanded the British armed vessels, attempted 
to make descent on the shores ; he was on active duty for 
about four months during this period; in November, 177G, 
at Charlestown, he enlisted in Captain Roswell Smith's Com- 
pany for three months, and early in December, 1776, was 
marched to the island of Rhode Island ; he was then attached 
to Colonel Cook's Regiment, with which he retreated off the 




THE HOME OF COL. EZEKIEL HOW, 1746-1796. 
The Wayside Inn at Sudbury, Mass. 1686-1859. 



' As ancient is this hostelry. 
As any in the land may be, 
Built in the old Colonial day 
When men lived in a grander way, 
With ampler hospitality." 



' And half effaced by rain and shine 
The lied Horse -prances on the sign." 

— ("Tales of the Waymdi: 



Inn."— Loniffellow.) 



[ 80 ] 

island over to Bristol, and there encamped about two months ; 
from Bristol he was marched to Providence, and from there 
to Quidnesset Neck ; a few days previous to the expiration 
of his three months' term of enlistment. Captain Smith, hav- 
ing entered into the fifteen-month service in the State line, 
he again enlisted into the service for fifteen months under 
Captain Smith ; he then marched from Quidnesset Neck to 
Boston Neck, when, in consequence of some different arrange- 
ments made by Congress and the General Assembly with 
respect to the troops, he was discharged ; this company be- 
longed to Colonel Potter's Regiment ; he served about six 
months under the above-named three-months enlistment 
and in tlie fifteen-month service; in June, 1777, he and 
Thomas Greene were drafted out of the Second Comj)any 
of Militia to guard the commissary stores then collected in 
Charlestown under the charge of Joseph Hoxsey, Esq. ; in this 
service he continued till March, 1778, a period of about nine 
months ; he served a month in Sullivan's expedition, in Aug- 
ust and September, 1778, under Lieutenant Beriah Lewis; 
after he returned from Sullivan's expedition he performed 
military service in the Second Company of Militia, at various 
times, on the south shores of Charlestown and i^articularly at 
Quonochontaug Neck, and eastward as far as Point Judith, 
several times, for periods of one to three weeks at a time, and 
that from September, 1778, to November, 1779, it amounted 
to at least four months. 

(O. W. & N. Dii\, Pension Bureau.) 

Hunter Carson White, great-grandson. 

Jonathan Lillibridge, of Exeter, R. L ; appointed Ensign 
of the Third Company of Militia in the town of Exeter by 
General Assembly, at East Greenwich, June, 1778. 
{R. I. Colonial Records.) 

Byron Jesse Lillibridge, great-great-grandson. 
Charles Wyman Hopkins, great-grandson. 

Isaiah Lindley, of Rehoboth, Mass. ; private in Captain 
Sylvanus Martin's Company of Colonel Williams' Regiment; 

13 



L ■'" I 

enlislod, September 20, 1777; cliscliarged, October -30, 1777; 
this sci'viee whs performed at Tiverton, R. I. 

(ArvJiii'es of the Commonwealth of Massachnsefls.) 

Wfi.liam Manuel Perez Bowen, great-great-grand- 
son. 

Charles Lippitt, of Cranston, R. I.; April 1, 1778, ap- 
I)oinlcd Assistant Commissary of Issues at l\)st of Warwick, 
requested to take possession of stores in the hands of Mr. 
Benjamin Stelle, to give receipt for same, and issue provis- 
ions to the troops ujpon the station ; rank, Commissary ; 
Rhode Island Continental service ; the following commission 
being issued to him : "Providence, R. I., April 1, 1778. Sir : 
You are hereby appointed Assistant Commissary of Issues at 
llie Post at Warwick, where you are I'equested to take pos- 
session of stores in the hands of Mr. Benjamin Stelle, giving 
me receipt for tlie same, and Issue Provisions to the troops 
ux)on the Station, taking for your guide the Resolution of 
Congress regulating the Commissary Department, and this 
shall be a sufficient warrant for your so doing. 

Sol'n. South wick, I). C. Geri'l Issues " 

(O. W. & N. Div., Pension Bureau.) 

Charles Warren Lippitt, great-grandson. 
Robert Lincoln Lippitt, great-grandson. 
Henry Frederick Lippitt, great-grandson. 
Truman Beckvs^ith, great-grandson. 

Christopher Lippitt, of Cranston, R. I. ; Lieutenant-Colonel 
of a regiment of minute-men in Rhode Island ; Colonel of a 
regiment, 1770; brevetted Brigadier-General at Morristown 
by General Washington ; participated in battles of Prince- 
ton, White Phiins, and Trenton. 

{R. I. Colonial Becords.) 

Christopher Lippitt, grandson (deceased). 
John Tyler Mauran, great-grandson. 

Thomas Locke, of ; enlisted at Lexing- 




MAJOIi DANIKL I.VMAN 

Ok the CONTINJi^TAI, AHMV. 



[ 91 ] 

ton for three years or the war, and served in the Continental 
line. 

{History of Lexington.) 

William Henry Giles Temple, great-grandson. 

Thomas Locke, Sr., of ; enlisted at 

Lexington for three j^ears or the war, and served in the Con- 
tinental line. 

[History of Lexington.) 

William Henry Giles Temple, great-great-grand- 
son. 

John Low, of Warwick, R. I. ; was elected Lientenant- 
Colonel of the First Regiment in the County of Kent, of the 
Militia of Rhode Island, by the General Assembly of Rhode 
Island, May 1, 1776 ; in 1776, was allowed £4. 4s. for services 
in collecting the Militia upon the alarms at Warwick Neck, 
R. I,, and Prudence Island ; October 28, 1776, was elected by 
General Assembly of Rhode Island Lieutenant-Colonel of the 
First Regiment of Militia ; March, 1777, was allowed £5. 2s. 
for victualing a number of soldiers and for six days' service 
in the Militia. 

{E. I. Colonial Records.) 

Charles Warren Lippitt, great-great-grandson. 
Robert Lincoln Lippitt, great-great-grandson. 
Henry Frederick Lippitt, great-great-grandson. 
Truman Beckwith, great-great-grandson. 



■■5 to* 



Daniel Lyman, of Durham, Conn. ; entered the Contin- 
ental army in 1776 ; served as Major, Adjutant-General, and 
Colonel ; at the capture of Ticonderoga, at Crown Point, and 
at St. John's ; at the battle of White Plains he had a horse 
shot under him ; President of the Order of the Cincinnati ; 
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Rhode Island. 

{Genealogy of the Lyman Family. History of Durham, 
Conn., Foivler.) 

William Bunnell Eaton, great-great-grandson. 

Amasa Mason Eaton, Jr., great-great-grandson. 



[ 0:^ ] 

Peter Mallett, of New Rochelle, N. Y.; appointed Com- 
missary of the 5tli Regiment of North Carolina, April 25, 
1776, and continued till October, 1786 ; was in all the great 
engagements to the northward till 1778, and afterward to the 
southward ; in September, 1780, he resigned his office of Com- 
missary-General of the State and Commissary to General 
Gates' Division, on account of depreciation of the currency 
and heav}' loss to himself ; at the beginning of the war he 
was a Commissary in the British army, which position he 
resigned, and entered the Continental army ; in 1780, while 
at Collins' house, with another officer and eighteen men, they 
were attacked by a body of eighty tories ; during the engage- 
ment which followed he was shot in the side, and suffered for 
many years afterwards in consequence of the wound. 

{History of North Carolina. Congressional Papers. Col- 
onial Records of North Carolina.) 

James Fenner Mallett, grandson. 

Nathaniel Manchester, of Bristol, R. I. ; private in Con- 
tinental troops. 

(0. W. & N. Div., Pension Bureau.) 

James Cook Manchester, great-grandson. 

William Leonard Manchester, great-great-grand- 
son. 

John Howard Manchester, great-grandson. 

Charles Howard Manchester, great-great-grand- 
son. 

David Martin, of Providence ; signed the following : 
"The Declaration of the Inhabitants of Providence," "We 
the subscribers do solemnly and sincerely declai-e that we 
believe the War, Resistance and Opj)osition, in which the 
United American States are now engaged against the Fleets 
and Armies of Great Britain is, on the part of said States just 
and necessary, and that we will not directlj' or indirectly 
afford assistance of any sort or kind whatever to the said 
Fleets or Armies during the continuance of the present War, 



[93] 

but that we will heartily assist in the defence of the United 
States." Providence, August 5, 1776. 
{Providence Town Papers.) 

Charles Wetter Bo wen, great-great-grandson. 
Richard Martin Bowen, great-great-grandson. 

Ephraim Martin, of Rehoboth, Mass.; drummer in Cap- 
tain Stephen Bullock's Company, Colonel Thomas Carpenter's 
Regiment, at Rhode Island, on the alarm of December 8, 
1776 ; reported marched to Bristol, R. I. 

{Archives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.) 

John Clarke Budlong, grandson. 

Hezekiah Martin, of Rehoboth, Mass. ; Sergeant in Cap- 
tain Stephen Bullock's Company, Colonel Thomas Carj)enter's 
Regiment, at Rhode Island, on the alarm of December 8 
1776 ; reported marched to Bristol, R. I. ; Sergeant in Lieu- 
tenant James Horton's Company, Colonel Thomas Carpenter's 
Regiment, at Rhode Island, on an alarm in August, 1780 ; 
marched to Tiverton, R. I., hy order of Council, July 22, 
1780. 

{Arc/lives of the Co7nmoniuealth of Massachusetts.) 

John Clarke Budlong, great-grandson. 

Luther Martin, of Barrington, R. I.; Enlisting Officer from 
Barrington, June, 1775 ; Ensign of Captain Thomas Allen's 
Company of Artillery', 1776. 

(O. W. & N. Div., Pension Bureau.) 

Jacob Sterry Martin, great-grandson. 

Nathaniel Martin, of Barrington, R. I. ; Colonel of First 
Regiment of Rhode Island, October, 1776 ; Deputy from Bar- 
rington, 1772-1774 ; member of Committee of Safety, 1776 ; 
appointed to advance bounties for the town of Barrington. 

{R. I. Colonial Records.) 

Jacob Sterry Martin, great-great-grandson. 



[ W] 

Pardon Mason, of Providence ; private in Captain Daniel 
Brown's Conipan}', Massachusetts Continental line, August 
li, 1777, marched on the alarm from Lanesborough to Mel- 
oomsenyck ; served six days; September 5, 1777, in same 
company, marched on the alarm from Lanesborough to Paw- 
let ; served 27 days ; in Captain Ebenezer Newell's Company 
in Colonel Syraond's Regiment, July 9, 1777, marched on 
the alarm from Lanesborough to Manchester ; served 21 
days ; participated in the battle of Bennington, August IG, 
1777. 

{Archives of the Cominoniuealth of Massachusetts.) 

Orray Tillinghast Mason, great-grandson. 
Earl Philip Mason, grandson. 

Nicholas Mathewson, of Cranston, R. L ; joined the 
Militia Company of Warwick on the alarm of the battle of 
Lexington, April, 1775, serving six days; in the summer of 
1775 he served five days at Warwick Neck, and, later, five 
days at Quidnesset Neck, in North Kingstown ; in December, 
1775, served a month at Warwick Neck ; in 1776 served seven 
days in January on the island of Prudence ; from the first of 
March to first of Ma3' at East Greenwich ; was again called 
into service in June, and served till January 1, 1778 ; in Feb- 
ruary, 1778, was called into service, serving at East Green- 
wich till Jul}' ; and then in Sullivan's expedition at the 
battle of Rhode Island ; in 1770, served from January to 
March at East Greenwich, and later with Colonel Chris- 
topher Greene at Conanicut, twelve days ; in November, 
1779, and August, 1780, was at Newport, then volunteered 
and served 15 daj's at Conanicut. 

(O. W. & N. Dii'., Pension Bureau.) 

Henry Howard, great-grandson. 

Noah Mathewson, of Johnston, R. L ; Recruiting Officer 
in the Revolutionary War. 
{R. I. Colonial Becords.) 

Howard Tucker Metcalf, great-grandson. 
Harold Metcalf, great-grandson. 



[ 95 ] 

Joseph Carlo Mauran, of Italj- and Barrington, R. I. ; in 
Marcli, 177(3, appointed Master of the row-galley "Spitfire;" 
in June, 1777, was appointed Captain of the row-galley " Wash- 
ington," which was destroyed by the British near Warren, R. I., 
May 25, 1778 ; on June 6, 1778, the Council of War took action, 
as follows : "Resolved that Captain Joseph Mauran, late com- 
mander of the galley "Washington," be, and he is hereby 
directed to cause the wreck of the " Washington " to be cut 
up in order to get ye iron, that he secure all the iron belong- 
ing to her, in some secure place, that he cause ye guns which 
belonged to said Galley to be brought to Providence in order 
that they may be rendered fit for use, and that he get the 
same done on the best terms he can ; " the Council of War 
on July 15, 1778, passed the following resolution: "The 
Galley " Washington " being destroyed by ye enemy in their 
late excursion to Warren, whereby Captain Joseph Moran 
who had the Command of her is put out of business, and the 
state having no armed vessel to put in pay for ye present. 
Tis therefore Resolved that ye said Captain Joseph Moran 
be dismissed from ye service of this state and he is hereby 
recommended as a good and faithful sea officer to all ye 
Friends of ye United American States ; " he also commanded 
the privateer schooner " Weazle," of Warren, and captured a 
brig of 140 tons, taking her safely into i^ort. 

{B. I. Colonial Records. Munro''s History of Bristol. His- 
tory of Warren, Fessenden. Records of Council of War of 
R. I., 1778-79. Providence Gazette, November H, 1778.) 

Christopher Rhodes, great-grandson. 

John Maxfield, of Salisbury, Mass. ; was at Bunker Hill, 
Ticonderoga, and Valley Forge ; served six and one-half years 
in Continental army ; private in Captain Stephen Merrill's 
Company, Colonel Caleb Cushing's Regiment, which marched 
on the alarm of April 19, 1775, from Salisbury; term of ser- 
vice, three and one-half daj's ; in Captain Jonathan Evans' 
Companj^, Colonel James Frye's Regiment, October 6, 1775 ; 
reported in camp at Cambridge ; received a bounty coat for 
eight months' services ; he was present at Burgoyne's sur- 



[ 96 ] 

render ; the term covered by his services extended from May, 
1775, to January, 1778. 

(O. W. & N. Div., Pension Bureau.) 

Nathaniel French Davis, great-grandson. 

Elisha May, of Rehoboth, Mass.; September 12, 1774, 
member of first Committee of Safety, Attleboro ; April 0, 
1775, member of Assonett expedition, which preceded the 
battle of Lexington ; April 19, 1775, 1st Lieutenant in Cap- 
tain Jabez Ellis' Company, which marched from Attleboro 
on the Lexington alarm ; March 21, 177G, Captain in 6th 
Company of Colonel John Daggett's Ith Bristol County Reg- 
iment of Massachusetts Militia; Jane 17, 1776, at the battle 
of Bunker Hill; September-November, 1776, Captain of 
Company in Colonel Thomas Carpenter's Regiment ; August 
20 to September 2, 1778, Captain in Colonel John Daggett's 
Regiment ; June 10, 1779, 1st Major of the Ith Bristol County 
Regiment of Massachusetts Militia; June 19, 1780, Lieuten- 
ant-Colonel of the 4th Bristol County Regiment of Massa- 
chusetts Militia ; civil service ; representative of Attleboro, 
County of Bristol, 1778, 1783, 1788; senator from Bristol 
County, Massachusetts, 1784-1786, 1790-1796, 1801-1802; 
member of the Governor's Council, 1797-1800; March 18, 
1777, served on Committee of Correspondence and Safety for 
Attleboro. 

{Archives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.) 

Lewis Fairbrother Burrough, great-great-grand- 
son. 

Lemuel May, of Roxburj^, Mass. ; Lieutenant in Captain 
Lemuel Child's Company, Colonel William Heath's Regiment, 
which marched on the alarm of April 19, 1775, from Roxbury, 
and served 15 days ; commissioned Captain of the 10th Com- 
pany of Colonel William Mcintosh's Regiment, May 7, 1776; 
Captain of Captain Lemuel May's Company, Colonel Mcin- 
tosh's Regiment, enlisting March 23, 1778, serving 14 days, 
stationed at Roxbury lines ; in December, 1778, he was in com- 
mand of one of the three Roxbury companies; he received a 




SWORD WOHX BY LIEUT. -COL. EZEKIEL HOW, 

4tII KkGT. jMlDDLEt^EX Co. MiLI'lIA. AT CoNCOKD BlJIUGE, APIUL 19, 177."). 



" * * * * heloiD 
The scroll reads, ''By the name of Iloire.' 
And over this, iw longer bright. 
Though glimmering with a latent light. 
Was hung the sword his grandsire bore 
In the rebellious days of yore, 
Down there at Concord in the fight." 



'The Landlord ended thus his tale, 
Then rising took down from its nail 
Tlte sword that hung there, dim with dust. 
And cleaving to its sheath with rust. 
And said, 'This sword was in the fight.' " 

—("Tai.es of a Wayside Inn." — Longfellow. 



[ ••»7 ] 

cominission as Captain of a company in the First Regiment 
of Suffolk, Colonel Ebenezer Battles, July 1, 1781, signed by 
John Hancock, a Governor of Massachusetts. 

[The Toiun of Roxhury, by Francis S. Drake. Original 
Commission, dated July 1, 1781. Archives of the Common- 
wealth of Massachusetts.) 

Edward Benjamin May, great-great-grandson, 

James Metcalf, of Wrentham, Mass. ; 2d Major, West 
Regiment, Massachusetts minute-men, April 19, 1775, at Lex- 
ington ; Captain 13th Regiment, Continental Infantry, Janu- 
ary 30, 1770, at siege of Boston ; 1st Major, -Ith Regiment, 
Suffolk C^ounty, Massachusetts Militia, Februarj^ 10, 177G ; 
Major 4th Regiment, Suffolk C^ounty, Massachusetts Militia, 
December 8, 177G, served in Rhode Island ; Lieutenant-Col- 
onel, same, 1779 ; served to close of war. 

{Archives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.) 

James Henry Kingman, great-great-grandson, 

James Metcalf, Jr., of ; Bombardier in 

Captain Perez Cushing's Company, Colonel Thomas Craft's 
Regiment, Massachusetts State Artillery, September 9, 1776, 
in Continental service, Boston harbor, and sea-coast defences ; 
private in Captain Asa Fairbanks' C^ompany, Colonel Ben- 
jamin Ilawes' Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Infan- 
try, Septembei" 30, 1777; served in Rhode Island under Major 
General Spencer ; Sergeant in Captain John Metcalf's Com- 
pany, 4th Regiment, Suffolk County, Massachusetts Militia, 
Colonel Setli BuUard, January 27, 1780, served in Rhode 
Island. 

{Year Book of Society of Sons of Merolution, State of Neiv 
York, year 1893.) 

James Henry Kingman, great-grandson. 

Nathan Miller, of Warren, R. I. ; Deputy from Warren, 

1772 to 1774, and 1780, 1782, 1783, 1790; Commissary under 
General IIoi)kins, 1775 ; Commissary of Brigade established 
177G ; member of committee to ascertain deficiencies in mili- 

13 



[ 'J« J 

tary quota, 1777; appointed by General Assembly to advance 
bounties, 1777 ; Colonel of Regiment of Militia in County of 
Bristol, 1777, 1778, 1779; Recruiting Officer, 1777-1780; 
member of Council of War, Bristol County, Maj', 1779 ; Brig- 
adier General of Bi-igade in Bristol and Newport Counties, 
1779, 1780, 1781, 1782, 1783, 1784 ; delegate to Congress, 1786; 
delegate to Constitutional Convention at Newport, 1790. 
(R. L Colonial Records.) 

George Wheaton, 2d, great-grandson. 

Charles Wheaton Abbot, Jr., great-great-gi'andson. 

John Robert Wheaton, great-grandson. 

Nelson Miller, of Warren, R. I. ; enlisted as Drummer in 
May, 1775, for eight months, under Captain Martindale, in 
Colonel Thomas Church's Regiment ; re-enlisted in January, 
1776, for twelve months, as Drum Major, under Colonel 
Henry Babcock, and Captain Loring Peck; as Drum Major, 
in Januar}^, 1777, for fifteen months, under Colonel Crary, and 
Captain Caleb Carr ; participated in the battle at White 
Plains. 

(O. W. & N. Div., Pension Bureau.) 

Charles George Munro, great-grandson. 

Abijah Mitchell, of Woodbury, Conn. ; Captain in the 
Continental army, 1776. 
{History of Ancient Woodbury.) 

John Edwin Judson, great-great-grandson. 

John Moody, of Kingston, N. H. ; Captain of the 12th 
Company, Colonel Joseph Badger's lOth Regiment of Militia, 
late Colonel N. Baldwin's Regiment, which was raised in 
September, 1776, to re-inforce the Continental army in New 
York, and was given command of the 8th Company of this 
Regiment ; discharged at North Castle, N. Y., in December, 
1776 ; sixth signer of the Association Test, in 1776 ; appoint- 
ed, in 1779, to hire soldiers for the Continental army from 
his town ; was also a private in Captain S. Gilman's Company 



[ 09 ] 

during the Indian War, serving from April '2V> to October 10, 
1758. 

{Archives of the State of New Hampshire. Lancaster'' s 
History of Gilmantoii, N. H.) 

John Harvey Merrill, great-great-grandson. 

Abner Morse, of Medway, Mass. ; musician, soldier, Cap- 
tain, and Major of Artillery; served one campaign in Rhode 
Island, or with Rhode Island troops. 

{Family Records.) 

William Thornton Parker, great-grandson (re- 
signed.) 

Silas Morse, of Walpole, Mass. ; minute-man in Captain 
William Bullard's Company, Colonel Heath's Regiment, 
which marched from Dedham on the alarm of April 19, 1775, 
served 10 days; March J:, 1776, private in Captain William 
Bullard's Company, Colonel William Mcintosh's Regiment ; 
enlisted March 4, 1776, served four days ; November 29, 1776, 
private in Captain John Gay's Company, Colonel Ebenezer 
Francis' Regiment ; June 12, 1778, among a list of men 
detached for defence of Rhode Island ; July, 1778,-Januar3', 
1779, private in Captain Jacob Haskin's Companj', Colonel 
John Jacob's Regiment ; service in Rhode Island, enlisted 
July 2, 1778, served six months, two days ; served in the 
Continental army six months, enlisting July 17, 1780. 

{Archives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.) 

Reuben Aldridc4E Guild, great-grandson (deceased.) 

Daniel Mowry, of Smithfield, R. I. ; a member of the 
Continental Congress in the year 1782, 
{R. I. Colonial Records.) 

Howard Tucker Metcalf, great-great-great-grand- 
son. 
Harold Metcalf, great-great-great-grandson. 

Daniel Mowry, 3d, of Smithfield, R. I. ; enlisted for three 
months service in battalion ordered to be raised by the Gen- 



L(JfC, 



[ 100 ] 

eral Assembly of State of Rhode Island and Providence 
Plantations, at the session at Newport, on the third Monday 
of July, 1780 ; his name appears on pay abstract of Colonel 
Daniel Mowry's Company; his name apjjears among the list 
of men dismissed from service August 9, 1780 ; he was iu the 
company drafted August 1, 1778, Captain James Sprague, of 
Smithfield. 

{Archives of the R. I. Historical Societij, Military Papers.) 

Harold Metcalp, great-great-grandson. 

Hovs^ARD Tucker Metcalf, great-great-grandson. 

Jeremiah Mumford, of Eastford, Conn. ; Colonel and 
Paymaster. 

{Archives of the State of Connecticut.) 

George Eames Barstow, great-great-grandson. 

Edward Munro, of Bristol, R. I. ; December, 177G, to 
November, 177!), private in Captain C^arr's and Captain 
Throop's Companies of Colonel Archibald Crary's Rhode 
Island Regiment. 

(O. W. & N. Div., Pension Bureau.) 

Wilfred Harold Munro, great-grandson. 
Walter Lee Munro, great-grandson. 

Stephen Newell, of Sturbridge, Mass. ; private in Captain 
David Batehellor's Company, Colonel Ezra Wood's Regiment ; 
enlisted, August 1, 1778 ; discharged, December 31, 1778 ; Ser- 
geant in Captain Elias Pratt's Company of Guards, stationed 
at Rutland ; enlisted, April 17, 1779 ; served two months, 
fourteen days ; name appears on a warrant to paj' officers 
and men, on a roll, bearing date, March 11, 1781, of Captain 
Elias Pratt's Company; private in Captain Abel Mason's 
Company- in Colonel Job Cushing's Regiment, August 13, 
1777, to November, 1777, from Sturbridge ; arrived at battle- 
ground about the time Burgo^^ne surrendered, probably in 
Captain Mason's Compan3\ 

{Arcliives of the Commonioeatth of Massachusetts.) 

Timothy Newell, SON. 

Claude Potter Newell, grandson. 



[ 101 ] 

Joseph Nightingale, of Pomfret, Coun., and Providence ; 
complained to Governor Wanton regarding depredations made 
by the British in Narragansett Baj^ March, 1772 ; Captain of 
Independent Company of Cadets, August, 1775, March, 1776 ; 
member of committee to bnild vessels of war, December 14, 
1775 ; chosen Major-General of Militia of Rhode Island, De- 
cember, 177G ; Captain of Senior Class Conipan3% Providence, 
Jul}' 3, 1781 ; member of General Assembly that ratified Con- 
stitution of United States, 1790. 

(R. I. Colonial Records.) 

George Corlis Nightingale, Jr., great-grandson. 
William Greene Nightingale, great-grandson. 

Joseph Noyes, of Westerly, R. I. ; Colonel of the First 
Regiment, King's County, R. I., during the war. 
{R. I. Colonial Records.) 

Row^LAND Rodman Robinson, great-great-grandson. 

Joseph Noyes, Jr., of Westerly, R. I. ; was employed by 
the State to purchase beef for the army at a period when in 
great want of provisions, but not being supplied with a suffi- 
ciency of money founded on real estate to pay for the same, 
he was induced, from the necessity the army was in, to give 
his own note of hand to Messrs. George and Samuel Sheffield, 
of Stonington, Conn., in order to receive these sui^plies. 

(R. I. Colonial Records.) 

Rowland Rodman Robinson, great-great-great-grand- 
son. 

John Olney, of Glocester, R. I. ; private soldier; wounded 
at Bunker Hill, after which he returned to his home in Gloces- 
ter until his wound was healed, when he again joined the 
army. 

{Olney Memorial, p. 37, No. SI.) 

Percy Dinsmore Smith Slocum, great-gi-eat-grand- 
son. 



[ 102 ] 

Stephen Olney, of North Providence ; private in North 
Providence Rangers, 1774 ; Ensign in Captain John Angell's 
Company of Colonel Daniel Hitchcock's Regiment, 1775; First 
Lieutenant, March, 1776 ; Captain in Colonel Israel Angell's 
Regiment, 1777 ; participated in battles of Bunker Hill^ 
Long Island, White Plains, Monmouth, Springfield, Red 
Bank, and Yorktown ; chosen to lead the attacking column 
at Yorktown, where he was badly wounded. 

{R. I. Colonial Records. Lives of Barton and Olney, Wd- 
liams.) 

Clarence Henry Greene, great-great-grandson. 
Frederic Albert Greene, great-great-grandson. 
Charles Libbeus Hodges, U. S. A., great-grandson. 

Arnold Paine, of Smithfield, R. I.; in April, 1775, ap- 
pointed on a committee to procure and receive for Smitlifield 
its proportion of powder, lead, bullets, and flints, belonging 
to the Colony ; in February, 1776, a member of a committee 
appointed b^^ General Assembly to procure gold and silver 
coin for the operations in Canada ; in October, 1777, a mem- 
ber of Captain Stephen Whipple's Company from Smithfield 
in expedition against Rhode Island; August 1, 1778, his 
name appears on a " True list of the men in the alarm list 
drafted from the whole," Job Mowry, Captain, Smithfield ; 
was in Captain Ballou's Company, Senior Class; in 1779 was 
chosen, with Caleb Aldrich, Esq., a committee to purchase 
the town's proportion of grain and beef for the supply of 
Commissary General ; was a Deputy in General Assembly 
from Smithfield in 1775 and 1776 ; member of Town Council, 
177!) to 1784; Town Treasurer, 177o-'7G ; Justice of Court of 
Common Pleas, 1794 to 1802. 

{R. I. Colonial Records. R. I. Historical Socieiy, Military 
Papers. Steere's History of Smithfield.) 

Charles Alonzo Barnard, great-great-grandson. 

Isaac Pearce,of Rehoboth, Mass.; was in the Revolutionary 
army for a time, when he was 16 yeai's old, while the lirilish 



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were at Newport, and was allowed a pension for one j^ear's 
actual service, as a private in the Rhode Island troops ; a 
l^art of the time he served under Colonel 01ne3\ 

{Pierce. Genealogy, by F. C. Pierce, 1889. 0. W. & N. 
Div., Pension Bureau.) 

Herbert Sanford Tanner, great-great-grandson. 

Ambrose Peck, of Swansey, Mass.; Captain of a company 
in First Regiment of Militia in the County of Bristol, Mass., 
commanded b3' Colonel Shubael Peck, July 1, 1781 ; commis- 
sion signed hy John Hancock. 

{Original Commission.) 

Allen Millard Peck, great-grandson. 

Samuel Peck, of Milford, Conn. ; Captain of Tenth Com- 
pany, Seventh Regiment, Maj^ 1, 1775; Captain, Third Com- 
pany, Fifth Battalion, in Wadsworth's Brigade, Colonel 
Douglass, 1776 ; at battle of White Plains, October 28, 1775 ; 
Captain in Second Regiment, Connecticut Militia, 1777 ; Cap- 
tain in Volunteer Company in 1779; turned out to repel the 
enemy at New Haven, July 5, 1770. 

{Archives of the State of Connecticut.) 

James Garrison Peck, great-grandson. 

John Pendleton, of Westerly, R. I. ; was in expedition 
against the island of Rhode Island (Sullivan's expedition), 
and lost certain articles off Point Judith, in October, 1777. 

{R. I. Colonial Records.) 

John Pendleton Randall, great-great-grandson. 

Nathan Pendleton, of Westerly, R. I. ; Ensign in the 
First Company of the Fii-st Battalion of Militia in the County 
of Kings, Rhode Island, in 1780 ; in 1781, was Ensign in the 
First Infantry Company of Westerly, R. I. ; member of State 
Militia. 

{R. I. Colonial Records.) 

Francis Wayland Miner, Jr., great-great-grandson. 



[ 104 ] 

Ebenezer Pettee, of Dedliara, Mass. ; private in Captain 
Geoi'i>e Gould's Company, Colonel Paul Dudlej^ Sergeant's 
Regiment, enlisted May 18, 1775, served two months nine- 
teen days; in October, 1775, was private in same company; 
from May 26, 1776, to November 1, 1776, pi-ivate in Captain 
Aaron Guild's Companj'^, Colonel Josiah Whitney's- Regi- 
ment ; private in Captain Luke Howell's Company, Colonel 
Nathan Idler's Regiment, from August 29, 1779, to Decem- 
ber 31, 1779. 

{Archives of the Commonwealth of Massacliusetts.) 

Reuben Aldridge Guild, great-grandson (deceased). 

Eli Phinney, of Centreville, Mass.; January 4, 1775, was 
one of committee at Barnstable, Mass., to purchase arms and 
ammunition; dui'ing first of the Revolutionary AVar he was a 
gentleman of distinction, and was frequentlj' employed in 
municipal trusts, and was referred to as "That stout hearted 
son of liberty. Mr. p]li Phinne3\" 

{Freemaii's History of Cape Cod.) 

Alonzo Williams, great-great-grandson. 

Eli Pond, of Franklin, Mass. ; Drummer in Captain John 
Boyd's Company of minute-men, April 19, 1775 ; Sergeant in 
Captain Josiah Fuller's Companj', Colonel Wheelock's Regi- 
ment, December 8, 1776 ; Lieutenant in Captain Amos Ellis's 
Compan}^ in Colonel Benjamin Hawes Regiment, September 
25 to October 31, 1777 ; Lieutenant in a Company commanded 
by Lieutenant Ilazekiah Ware from June 20 to July 14, 1778. 

{A Genealogical Record of Daniel Pond and his descend- 
ants. Harris.) 

Daniel Bullard Pond, great-grandson (deceased). 

Samuel Poole, of Abington, Mass.; private in Captain 
Edward Cobl)\s Company, which marched on the alarm of 
April 19, 1775, from Biidgewater, Mass.; 2d Lieutenant in Cap- 
tain Nathan Alden's (4th) Company of 3d Plymouth County 
Regiment, March 23, 1776 ; 2d Lieuteiuint in Captain Abiel 
Pierce's Company, August, 1776 ; in same Company, SeiD- 



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[ 105 ] 

tember, 177G, and November, 177G; Ensign in Captain Nathan 
Snow's Companj^, Colonel Hawes Regiment, enlisted Septem- 
ber 25, 1777, served one jnonth and nine days on secret ex- 
pedition to Rhode Island ; Lientenant in Captain Nathan 
Packard's Compan}^ Colonel J. Jacob's Regiment, enlisted 
July 10, 1780, discharged October 31, 1780, served three months 
and twenty-two days. 

{HoharVs History of Ahingion. Dyer^s History of Plain- 
field, Mass. The History of Edward Poole and his desce^id- 
ants, hy Murray Edward Poole, A. B.) 

Emory Poole Russell, great-great-grandson. 

Samuel Poole, of Abington, Mass. ; a member of the first 
State Constitutional Convention, in 1779 ; he was Chairman 
of the first public meeting called by the town, March 10, 
1770, to denounce and resist British aggression, and a mem- 
ber of the committee which drew up the famous resolutions 
called "The Noble Resolves," passed by the town March 19, 
1770; he was a member of the Committee of Safety and 
Correspondence. 

{HoharVs History of Abington. Dye7'''s History of Plain- 
field, Mass. The History of Edward Poole, of Weymoutli, 
Mass., 1635, and his descendants.) 

Emory Poole Russell, great-great-great-grandson. 

Benjamin Porter, of Assonet Village, Freetown, Mass. ; 
served as a militia man from 1750 (French and Indian War) 
until 1792, when he was commissioned Captain of the First 
Company of Foot, of Freetown, Mass.; served in Rhode Island 

in 1780. 

{Archives of the Commonwealtli of Massachusetts.) 

Henry Perry Porter, great-grandson. 

Caleb Potter, of Cranston, R. I. ; jprivate in the Captain 
General's Cavaliers, a corps of cavalry under command of 
Colonel Benjamin Slack and Colonel Manton, which did 

14 



[ lOG ] 

service during the War of the Revolution in the expedition 
to Rhode Island from July 24 to August 31, 1778 ; he also 
served in Captain Charles Holdeu, Jr's., Company during the 
month of November, 1780. 

{Archives of the State of Rhode Island.) 

Philip Collins Sheldon, great-great-grandson. 

John Potter, of Scituate, R.I. ; served under Colonel Joseph 
Knight, guarding the shore of Rhode Island ; commissioned 
Lieutenant by Governor William Greene, July 29, 1780, and 
Captain, June -l, 1781. 

{Original Commissions. See illusfration.) 

Dexter Burton Potter, great-grandson, 

John Potter, of Scituate, R. I.; at the news of the British 
attack at Concord and Lexington he responded to the alarm, 
and went from his home, below Pawtuxet, to Providence, 
from there he went to Hopkin's Mills where his company 
met, and, volunteering with others, he marched to Providence, 
where he learned that the fight was over ; his walk of thirty- 
eight miles that day satisfied hini with foot service, and he 
enlisted in a troop of horse and entered the service soon 
after ; he served as rider or messenger conveying dispatches, 
and in 1777 served as picket guard on the shores near Point 
Judith, guarding against boat expedition from the British 
fleet foraging the country ; near the close of the war he was 
commissioned Ensign. 

{Genealogy of John and Waite Potter, Providence, 18S5.) 
Isaac Mathewson Potter, grandson. 

John Randall, of ; May, 1775, Captain in 

Colonel Varnum's Regiment, in the Army of Observation. 

{Proceedings of General Assembly, May, 177f>, p. 15.) 

Frederick Danne, great-great-great-grandson. 
John Randall, of Stonington, Conn. ; was a member of 









—5 

o ^ 




[ 107 ] 

Committee of Correspondence and Inspection for the town 
of Stonington, Conn. 

{History of New London County, Conn.) 

John Pendleton Randall, great -grand son. 

Hammond Reed, of Lexington, Mass. ; member of Cap- 
tain Parker's Compan3% and was engaged witli his company 
on the 19th of April, 1775 ; served in the five months cam- 
paign at Ticonderoga, 1775, and in the six months campaign 
at Providence, 1778 ; one of the signers of the Declaration of 
Loj'alty to the Colony of Massachnsetts Bay, in 177G ; one of 
the Committee of Safety, in 1778, and served as one of the 
Selectmen in 1770-72-74-80-89. 

{History of Lexington.) 

William Henry Giles Temple, great-great-grandson. 

James Reynolds, of Westborough, Mass. ; enlisted for 
the war, April 5, 1777, in Captain Cliffs Company, Third 
Regiment, Connecticut line, commanded by Colonel Samuel 
Wyllys, and was discharged April 5, 1780, having served 
three years ; this regiment went into camp at Peekskill in 
May, 1777, served under Putnam, along the Hudson, until 
January, 1778, when it took post at West Point ; in summer of 
1778 it encamped at White Plains with Washington's main 
army; wintered, 1778-79, at Redding; engaged in storming 
of Stony Point, July 15, 1779 ; wintered, 1779-80, at Morris- 
town, N. J., and served on outposts. 

(O. W. & N. Dili., Pension Bureau. Archives of the State 
of Connecticui.) 

Henry Clay Armstrong, great-grandson (deceased.) 

Joseph Reynolds, of Bristol, R. I. ; Associate Justice of 
Court of Common Pleas for Bristol Countj^ from 1776 to 
1783 ; was Chief Justice of the same court from 1787 till his 
death, in 1789; in 1778, when the British marched through 
the town, though sick in bed, he was taken to a i^rison ship. 



[ 108 ] 

but soon exchanged; September, 1778, his home was made 
the lieadquarters of General Lafayette, and is still standing 
in Bristol, R. I. 
{R. I. Colonial Records.) 

John Post Reynolds, great-great-grandson. 

William Reynolds, of North Kingstown, R. I. ; served 
two years as private in the Rhode Island troops. Revolution- 
ary War ; a part of the time under Captain Thomas Clarke 
and Colonel Robert Brown ; enlisted at North Kingstown, 
R. I. 

(O. W. & N. Div., Pension Bureau.) 

Charles Stephen Reynolds, great-great-grandson. 

Benjamin Rhodes, of Warwick, Kent County, R. I. ; in 
the spring of 1778 he engaged as a ]3rivate or seaman for 
nine months on board the guard ship called the " Pigot Gal- 
ley," stationed in Narragansett Baj^ for the defence of the 
shores, and also nsed for the confinement of prisoners, com- 
manded by Caj)tain Jeremiah Clark ; Benjamin Rhodes' 
father was an officer of the vessel, and commanded in the 
absence of Captain Clark, if he did not succeed him ; the 
period of his service was during General Sullivan's campaign, 
in 1778, and he was with the boats transporting provisions to 
the army ; in August, 1780, he served one month at Newport, 
R. I., in the Pawtuxet Rangers, under Captain Benjamin 
Arnold. 

(O. W. & N. Div., Pension Bureau.) 

Robert Ezekiel Smith, grandson. 
Edward Smith Rhodes, grandson. 
George Thomas Hart, great-grandson. 
Franklin Augustus Smith, Jr., great-grandson. 
Arthur Augustus Rhodes, great-grandson. 

Peter Rhodes, of Warwick, R. I. ; member of the Paw- 
tuxet Rangers, and did dutj' at Pawtuxet Neck in 1777, also. 




c:y^cri^.^7f^^^ 




[ 109 ] 

in same company, September 28, 1781 ; officer on board 
"Pigot Galley," 1778. 

{O. W. & N. Div., Pension Bureau. Rhode Island His- 
torical Society, Military Papers, cited hy Field in ^^Revolu- 
tionary Defences in Rhode Island.^^ ) 

Edward Smith Rhodes, great-grandson. 
Robert Ezekiel Smith, great-grandson. 
Arthur Wellington Dennis, great-grandson. 
Arthur Augustus Rhodes, great-great-grandson. 
George Thomas Hart, great-great-grandson. 
Franklin Augustus Smith, Jr., great-great-grand- 
son. 

Robert Rhodes, of Warwick, R. I. ; in 1777 was recruit- 
ing officer for town of Warwick; in 1778-79, Captain of 
Alarm Company in Warwick ; was at Lexington ; when on 
the island of Newport, at the battle of Rhode Island, was 
the oldest captain, and in the engagement there carried a 
" Queen's Arm," taken from the enemy at Prudence, and dis- 
charged it 2G times in succession without misfire, and kept 
command of his company and the firing ; in 1780, chosen to 
command several companies of Militia within the State, First 
Battalion in Kent County, Senior Class Company; appointed 
by the General Assembly and the town of Warwick to receive 
recruits ; elected Captain of the 1st Battalion Artillery Com- 
pany, Senior Class, 1780-17S1. 

{R. I. Colonial Records. Archives of the State of Rhode 
Island.) 

Christopher Rhodes, great-grandson. 
John Russell Bartlett, U. S. N., great-grandson. 
Arthur Middleton Thompson, great-great-grandson. 
George Carpenter Arnold, great-great-grandson. 

Silas Rickard, of Plympton, Mass. ; private in Captain 
Stephen Crosby's Company, Colonel Comfort Sage ; this com- 
pany belonged to the Third Battalion, Wadsworth Brigade, 
which was raised June, 177G, to re-inforee Washington at 



[ 110 ] 

New York ; served in New York citj^ and on Long Island, 
and was in the retreat from New York, September 15, 1776 ; 
l^articipated in the battle of White Plains, October 28, 1776 ; 
time expired December 25, 1776. 

{Connecticut Men in the Revolution.) 

James Helme Rickard, Jr., great-great-grandson. 

John Roberts, of Grafton, Mass.; served eight months in 
a regiment raised in Sutton, under Colonel Ebenezer Learned, 
of Oxford ; was Orderly Sergeant and Clerk of his companj^ ; 
served nearly two years in the " Sutton Regiment" under Col- 
onel Jonathan Ilolman, in that portion of the army under 
immediate command of General Washington ; in battle of 
Saratoga and others, and in the company afterwards de- 
signated to hold Fort Edward. 

(Archives of the Coinmonivealth of Massachusetts.) 

Isaac Harrison Southwick, grandson. 
Isaac Hinckley Southwick, great-grandson. 
Frederick Henry Buffum, great-great-grandson. 

Richard Rogers, of Putnam County, N. Y. ; private in 
the New York State Militia, companj^ commanded by Cap- 
tain Israel Knapp; this company belonged to the 7th Dutchess 
County Regiment, and was in active service during the war. 

{Records of the University of the State of New York.) 

Edwin Rogers Handy, great-great-grandson. 

John Russell, of Boston, Mass. ; Commissary, by which 
title he is addressed bj^ Colonel Jeremiah Olney, in a request 
to issue provisions to certain soldiers; among the bills ordered 
paid by the General Assembly during the Revolutionary War 
are some to him for subsistence for the army. 

{BartletVs Oenealogy of the Russell Family.) 

Russell Winchester Knight, great-great-grandson. 

James Sabin, of Providence, R. I.; it was at his house on 
the corner of Planet and Soutli Main streets tliat the burning 



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[ 111 ] 

of the " Gaspee," June 9, 1772, was planned, and it was from 
his honse that the expedition started ; many of the bullets 
for use that night were cast in his kitchen. 

Joseph Carpenter Wheaton Cole, great-grandson. 

Anthony Salisbury, of Little Compton, R. I.; was in Cap- 
tain John Topham's ComiDany, 1st Battalion (Lieutenant- 
Colonel Green), in Colonel Benedict Arnold's expedition to 
Quebec, 1775-76, and was taken prisoner at Quebec, Decem- 
ber 31, 1775; later was in 2d Battalion (Major Simeon Tliayer's), 
Colonel Israel Angell's Rhode Island Regiment. 

( Vol. 6, Coll. of the Rhode Island Historical Society.) 

Frederick Waterman Cady, great-grandson. 

Martin Salisbury, of ; private in Cap- 

tain Daniel Brown's Company, 1777, and in 1780 in Captain 
Asa Barn's Company, Colonel Benjamin Simond's Berkshire 
County Regiment. 

{Archives of the Comvwnwealth of Massachusetts.) 

John Clarke Budlong, areat-grandson. 



'5 &' 



Nathaniel Salisbury, of ; Corporal in 

Captain Benjamin West's Company in Battalion of Rhode 
Island State troops, commanded bj^ Colonel John Lapham, 
1779-1780. 

{R. I. His tor iced Society, Military Papers.) 

John Clarke Budlong, great-grandson. 

Alexander Sampson, of Providence, R. I. ; signed the 
following — " The Declaration of the Inhabitants of Provi- 
dence." " We the subscribers do solemnlj^ and sincerely 
declare that we believe the War, Resistance and Opposition 
in which the United American States are now engaged against 
the Fleets and Armies of Great Britain is, on the jiart of said 
States just and necessary, and that we will not directly or 
indirectly, afford assistance of any sort or kind whatever to 
the said Fleets or Armies, during the continuance of the 



[ 112] 

present War, but that we will heartily assist in the defence 
of the ITiiited States." Providence, August 5, 1776. 
{Providence Town Papers.) 

C'HARLES Wetter Bowen, great-great-grandson. 

Richard Martin Bowen, great-great-grandson. 

Martin Seamans, of Providence, R. I. ; elected Ensign of 
the First Companj-, Rhode Island Militia, in the town of 
Providence, at the May session of the General Assembly, 
1776 ; by recommendation of the Continental Congress was 
appointed by the General Assembly of Rhode Island, in 1776, 
to take an account of the number of inhabitants of tlie Colony 
of Rhode Island ; in March, 1777, was appointed with others 
to take account of all persons able to bear arms in the State 
of Rhode Island ; May, 1777, was elected Sheriff of Providence 
County, State of Rhode Island, 
(i?. I. Colonial Records.) 

Charles Warren Lippitt, great-great-grandson. 

Henry Frederick Lippitt, great-great-grandson. 

Robert Lincoln Lippitt, great-great-grandson. 

Truman Beckwith, great-great-grandson. 

Isaac Senter, of Londonderry, N. H.; Surgeon in Arnold's 
expedition to Canada, ]776 ; President of the Society of the 
Cincinnati. 

{MS8., R. I. Historical Society.) 

Crawford Allen, great-grandson (deceased). 

Solomon Skinner, Jr., of Norton, Mass.; Corporal in 
West Militia Company of Foot, in Mansfield, Mass. (minute- 
men), otherwise the 7th Comijanj' of Colonel John Daggett's 
Regiment of Attleboi-o, Bristol County, Colou}^ of Massachu- 
setts Bay, April, 1775, 11 daj^s' service ; private in (Captain 
Israel Trow's C'ompany of Militia in Colonel John Daggett's 
Regiment from Massachusetts, in Rhode Island, from January 
1, 1778, to April, 1770. 

{Archives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.) 

William Otis Shurrocks, great-great-grandson. 
Alfred Francis Shurrocks, great-great-grandson. 



2 O 




[ li:j ] 

Peter Slater, of Boston and Worcester, Mass.; in Decem- 
ber, 1773, was one of the " Boston Tea Party ; " enlisted at 
Worcester; was three j^ears in company of artillery nnder 
Captain Samuel Treadwell; October 28, 177G, was in the battle 
of White Plains ; December 26, 1776, at Trenton ; defeat of 
the Hessians, September 11, 1777 ; also at Brandywine ; 
December 11, 1777, he was with General Washington at Val- 
ley Forge, and in the battle of Monmouth, June 28, 1778 ; was 
one of seven men who defended the fort at Stony Point, June 
1, 1779, against three thousand British, was taken prisoner, 
and remained imprisoned five months; escaped from prison 
and sailed to the West Indies for ammunition; on the return 
his ship was attacked by the British fleet, and he escaped to 
Providence, R. I.; i^articipated in Shay's insurrection, and 
in 1797 was elected Lieutenant, and in 1803, Captain, in the 
artillery company — the First Brigade of Massachusetts. 

{Copy of Letter, January 13, 188 J^, hy Benjamin Slater, son 
of Peter Slater. Archives of the Commomvealth of Massa- 
chusetts.) 

Waldron How^ard Converse, great-grandson. 

James Snow, of Providence, R. I.; elected Captain of his 
company in May, 177G, and was annually re-elected until 
1780 ; served in Colonel John Mathewson's Regiment, in the 
expedition to Rhode Island, August, 1778 ; he assisted in the 
erection of fortifications in Providence in 1777, and in build- 
ing the fort on College Hill. 

{Archives of tJie State of Rhode Island. R. I. Historical 
Society, Military Papers. Revolutionary Defences in Rhode 
Island, Field.) 

Louis Franklin Snow, great-great-grandson. 

Elihu Spelman, of Dunbar, Conn.; joined the Revolu- 
tionary Army as drummer-boy at the age of 16 years ; in the 
spring of 1775 he enlisted and served nine months as private 
in Captain Harvey's Company, Massachusetts troops; then 
enlisted in Captain Trescott's Company, Colonel Whitcomb's 

15 



[ Hi] 

Regiment, and served one year ; enlisted at Ticonderoga in 
Captain Haines' Company, Colonel Edward Wigglesworth's 
Regiment, and was discharged at Providence, R. I., in Decem- 
ber, 1781, making time of service six years, three of which he 
served as Drum Major in Glover's Brigade ; he was engaged 
in the battle of Bunker Hill, the battles which culminated in 
the surrender of Burgoyne, and the battles of Monmouth 
and Rhode Island. 

(O. W. & N. Div., Pension Bureau. Faniihj Tradition.) 

Frederick Brown Spelman, great-grandson. 

Benjamin Spencer, of East Greenwich, R. I.; member of 
Kentish Giuirds, and served with them during the war ; at 
the battle of Rhode Island, August 28 and 20, 1778, when his 
company was detached to care for the wounded. 

Will Edwin Brown, great-great-grandson. 

Edward Stearnes, of Billerica, Mass.; was in the fight at 
Concord, 1775, and on the death of Captain Wilson, his 
brother-in-law, who was shot by the British on their retreat, 
the command of the Bedford Militia devolved on him ; the 
command was confirmed, but he declined to continue in it; 
private in Captain John Moore's Company, which marched 
on the Lexington alarm of April 1!), 1775, from Bedford town, 
to which soldiers belonged ; length of service, three days. 

[Archives of the Common iveaJtli of Massachusetts.) 

Charles Falconer Stearns, great-grandson. 

Samuel Stenness, of Marblehead, Mass.; private in Cap- 
tain William Bladder's Company, Colonel John Glover's 
Regiment; enlisted May 23, 1775 ; service, two months, four- 
teen days ; served also in same company eight months, and 
received a bounty coat for said service, at Cambridge, Decem- 
ber 30, 1775. 

{Archives of the Commomuealtli of Massachusetts.) 

Edward Clinton Bessom Stiness, great-great-grand- 
son. 



[ 115 ] 

Jeremiah Stone, of Mashantatack (Cranston), R. I.; en- 
listed from Scituate, R. I., in Colonel J. Topham's Regiment, 
and served from December 16, 1777, to March 16, 1778; March, 
1779, to March, 1780 ; March, 1780, to March, 1781. 

{Archives of the State of Rhode Island.) 

Horatio Eliphalet Bellows, great-great-great -grand- 
son. 

Jeremiah Stone, of ; was a private in 

Captain Josepli Knight's Company of Scituate. 

{Rhode Island Historical Society.) 

William Ray Greene, great-great-grandson. 

Jonathan Stone, of ; Sergeant in Cap- 

tain Henry Farwell's Company, minute-men, in Colonel Wil- 
liam Prescott's Regiment, marched froui Groton to Lexington, 
April 19, 1775; Corporal in Captain Aaron Jewitt's Company, 
Colonel Samuel Bullard's Regiment, Massachusetts Militia, 
1777. 

{Archives of the CommoniueaWi of Massachusetts. 

Alfred Stone, great-grandson. 

Solomon Stone, of ; private in Captain 

Bowker's Company, Colonel Webb's Regiment, Massachusetts 
Militia, raised to re-inforce the Continental army, 1871. 

{Archives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.) 

Alfred Stone, grandson. 

Benjamin Sumner, of Ashford, Conn.; in 1767 he was a 
member of a committee to corresj)ond with other committees 
in the county and elsewhere to encourage and help forward 
manufacture and a spirit of industry in the government; in 
177-1, member of Committee of C'orrespondence ; 1769 to 1775, 
Deputy to General Assembly from Ashford. 

{History of Windham County, Lamed.) 

Arthur Preston Sumner, areat-crreatirrandson. * 



[ 11(! J 

Jacob Taft, Jr., of Uxbriclge, Mass. ; private in Captain 
Joseph Chapin's Company, which marched on the alarm of 
April 19, 1775, from Uxbriclge; served 11 days; Sergeant in 
Captain Seagrave's Company, Colonel Joseph Read's Regi- 
ment, from May 1 to August 9, 1775 ; Sergeant in Captain 
Seagrave's Company, Colonel Read's Regiment, September 
25, 1775, served eight months. 

{Archives of the CommomveaUli of Massacliusetts.) 

Royal Chapin Taft, grandson. 
Robert Wendell Taft, great-grandson. 

William Taggard, of Hillsboro, N. H.; Ensign and Lieu- 
tenant, Second New Hampshire Regiment, Colonel Hale, 
177G-1780 ; wounded at Hubbardstown, Vt., 1777 ; signed 
the following declaration of independence of the people of 
New Hampshire: " We the subscribers do hereby solemnly 
engage and promise that we will to the utmost of our power 
at the risque of our lives aud fortunes with arms oppose the 
hostile proceedings of the British Fleets aud Armies against 
the United American Colonies;" he was wounded in the 
shoulder at the retreat from Ticonderoga in 1777, and in 
1778 lost the sight of one eye from the effect of innoculation 
from smallpox ; he was disabled at the battle of Hubbards- 
town, and sustained the loss of various articles ; he resigned 
his commission February 6, 1780; by order of the Council 
and Assembly of New Hampshire he was authorized to enlist 
a company to consist of 86 able-bodied, effective men, in the 
service of and for the defence of the United States, for the 
war. 

{Archives of the State of New Hampshire.) 

John Taggard Blodgett, great-grandson. 

Benjamin Tallman, of Portsmouth, R. I.; was chosen in 
November, 1775, as Major for a regiment of five hundred 
men, which was enlisted for one year for the defence of the 
United Colonies in general, and of the Rhode Island Colony 
in particular ; from this position he resigned, January 25, 
177G, to build Continental frigates, of which 13 were ordered 



[ 117 ] 

by Congress in December, two of which were built in Provi- 
dence; the "Warren," of 32 guns, and the "Providence," of 
28 guns ; Major Benjamin Tallman superintended the con- 
struction of one, if not both of them ; in August 19, 1776, at 
a session of the Assemblj^ he was recommended to Congress 
as a Major for the First Regiment, in the brigade taken into 
Continental pay ; November 21, 1776, he was appointed Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel in Colonel John Sayles Jr.\s Regiment ; in 
December, 1776, he was appointed Colonel of a regiment of 
infantry belonging to a brigade of three regiments, consisting 
of two of infantry and one of artillery. 

{Arnold'' s History of Rhode Island, Vol. 2.) 

Charles Frederick Irons, great-grandson. 
Nathaniel Mowry Bradley, great-great-great-grand- 
son (deceased). 

Samuel Tanner, of West Greenwich, R.I.; Corporal in Cap- 
tain Thomas Gorton's Company, Colonel Lippitt's Regiment, 
February 10, 1776; tliis regiment served one year and one 
additional month voluntarily ; it was taken into Continental 
pay in May, 1776 ; the regiment was first quartered on the 
island of Rhode Island ; marched westward in September, 
1776, and joined Washington at New York, after the battle 
of Long Island ; was assembled with other troops at Cross- 
wicks in Jersey, and formed part of the brigade under Col- 
onel Daniel Hitchcock, and volunteered for an additional 
month to complete the campaign. 

{CowelVs Spirit of 76 in Rhode Island.) 

Christopher Francis Parkhurst, great-grandson. 

William Tew, of Newport ; Captain of a company in the 
Second Rhode Island Regiment, 1775 ; bearer of money to 
pay Rhode Island troops at Valley Forge ; member of the 
Society of the Cincinnati. 

{R. I Colonial Records.) 

William James Swinburne, grandson (deceased). 



[ 118 J 

Rev, Charles Thompson, of Warren, R. I., and Arnwell, 
N. J.; was appointed Cliaplain of Colonel Christopher Greene's 
Battalion, by the General Assembly of Rhode Island, May, 
1777 ; held the office of Chaplain in the American army till 

1778, when, being at home on a visit, the English troops 
came up to Warren on the morning of May 25, 1778, carried 
Mr. Thompson awaj' as prisoner, and confined him at Newport, 
releasing him in about a month. 

{R. I. Colonial Records. History of the State of Rhode 
Island.) 

Charles Stephen Davoll, great-great-grandson. 

Darius Thurber, of Piovidence ; enlisted as a fifer, Jan- 
uar}' 17, 1777, in Captain William Tew's Company in Colonel 
Israel Angell's Regiment (Second Rhode Island) ; in 1778, 

1779, 1780, in the same company as a private: in 1781, of 
Colonel Christopher Greene's and Colonel Jeremiah Olney's 
Regiment ; served through the war from date of enlistment, 
and participated in the battles of Red I>ank, October, 1777; 
wounded at Monmouth, June 28, 1778 ; at Valley Forge and 
West Point; at Springfield, June 23, 1780, and Yorktown at 
the surrender, October 19, 1781. 

(O. W. & N. Div., Pension Bureau.) 

Edward Field, great-grandson. 

George Thurston, of Hopkinton, R. I.; Captain of Second 
Company in town of Hopkinton, in June, 1775, and May, 
1770, also May, 1778-1779, and Februarj^ 1780 ; Captain in 
Colonel Stanton's Regiment, December, 1770 ; in March, 1778, 
was one of a committee relative to furnishing supplies for 
the war and member of General Assembly of Rhode Island ; 
Jul}^ 1780, Captain of Troop of Horse in First Battalion of 
Militia, Kings County; May, 1782, and May, 1783, meujber 
of General Assembly and elected Lieutenant-Colonel of Senior 
Class Regiment of County of Washington ; May, 1791, Ibiga- 
dier-General of Militia in County of Washington. 

{R. I. Colonial Records.) 

Horace Thurston, great-grandson. 



[ 110 ] 

Ebenezer Tiffany, of Warreu (now Barrington), R. I.; 
served in the Militia Guard stationed at Barrington, R. I., 
under command of Sergeant Josiah Humphrey, from April 5 
to May 20, 1778 ; in Captain Viall Allen's (Barrington) Com- 
pany of Militia in 1780. 

{Archives of the State of Rhode Island.) 

Ebenezer Tiffany, Jr., great-grandson. 

Charles Tillinghast, of Quidnisset, R. I.; appointed En- 
listing Officer by the General Assembly of Rhode Island, when 
the Revolutionary War broke out, to raise troops for the 
Continental army ; he was so active and earnest in the work 
that the Tories formed a partj^ to get rid of him ; when the 
mob was on the way to the house thej'^ waylaid his son, who 
assisted his father, took him prisoner and killed him ; shortly 
after, in November, 1775, four masked Tories broke into his 
house, and, after threatening his wife, dragged him from bed, 
not allowing him to dress, and carried him in a boat to Block 
Island ; from wounds received he died in 17 days. 

{Genealogy of the Tillinghast Family, hij James Tillinghast, 
of Buffalo. R. I. Colonial Records.) 

John Willard Tillinghast, great-grandson. 
George Hall Tillinghast, great-great-grandson. 
Willard Wheaton Tillinghast, great-great-grand- 
son. 

Benjamin Tingley, of Altleborongh, Mass.; Sergeant in 
Captain Jabez Ellis' Company, which marched on the alarm 
of April 19, 1775, from Attleborough ; length of service, 11 
days ; 2d Lieutenant in Captain Jacob Hide's (1st) Company 
Colonel John Daggett's (4th) Regiment, March 18, 1776 ; 2d' 
Lieutenant in the 1st Company of the 4th Bristol County 
Regiment, commissioned March 21, 1776 ; his name appears 
on an order dated July 5, 1776, for wages, &c., on Ephraim 
Newell, Town Treasurer of Attleborough — service on alarm 
caused by battle of Bunker Hill ; Lieutenant of Captain 
Stephen Richardson's Company ; service at Rhode Island 



[ 1:^0 1 

from April 21, 1777, to May 15, 1777, 25 days; Quartermaster 
in Colonel Isaac Dean's Regiment ; service at Tiverton, R. I.; 
engaged July 31, 1780; discharged, August 7, 1780. 
{ArcJiires of the CommoniceaUli of j\[(issac]iuseffs.) 

Henry Clinton Dexter, great-great-grandson. 

Theodore Everett Dexter, great-great-grandson. 

Levi Totten, of Goshen, N. Y.; February 22, 1776, private 
in Captain Daniel Denton's Company, of Goshen, N. Y., for 
one 3'ear, in od Regiment, Colonel Rhodolph Ritzraa ; was in 
battle of White Plains ; served six months under Captain 
John Minthorn, in 1777; also with Captain John Hawthorn, 
in 1777 ; in 1778, served at West Point under Major Toppen, 
two tours, two others under Captain Miller at Never Sink, 
and one month under Captain Sayer; in 1779, served one tour 
under Lieutenant Armstrong, one month under Captain Mil- 
ler, and two months under Colonel Hothorn at Poughkeepsie; 
was at Fort Montgomery when it was taken, and at the fight 
at Ramapo Bridge. 

(O. W. & N. Div., Pension Bureau.) 

Nathaniel Greene Totten, SON (deceased). 

Levi Tower, of Cumberland, R. I.; Lieutenant of the 1st 
Regiment of one of the companies of the Army of Observa- 
tion, and later was Captain of 2d Com[)any of his regiment. 

James Henry Tower, great-grandson. 

Thomas Tread well, of Ipswich, Mass.; Sergeant in Cap- 
tain Samuel Reed's Company of minute-men. Colonel Pres- 
cott's Regiment, marched from Littleton, Mass., to Lexington, 
April, 1775; also Sergeant in Captain Samuel Gilbert's Com- 
pany, Colonel Prescott's Regiment, 1775, served eight months ; 
Sergeant in Captain John Nutting's Company in Colonel Wil- 
liam Mcintosh's Regiment, General Level's Brigade, in Rhode 
Island, July to September, 1778 ; discharged September 12, 
1778. 

{Archives of the Coiyimoniuealth of Massachusetts.) 
Alfred Stone, great-grandson. 



[ 121 ] 

Bartholomew Trow, of Charlestown, Mass.; member of 
"Boston Tea Party;" minute-man at Lexington, Mass., April 
19, 1775 ; Lieutenant in Captain Josiali Harris' Company in 
Colonel Thomas Gardiner's Regiment, at Bunker Hill, June 
17, 1775; this company was stationed at the famous "Rail 
Fence," and was the last to retreat ; the bravery of Captain 
Harris' (Company was a conspicuous feature of the battle, for 
they held an important j)ass into the country, against which 
the enemy made the most desperate efforts, and they defended 
it until the enemy discovered another ; in the account of the 
battle prepared by the Committee of Safety, July 25, 1775, 
to be transmitted to Great Britain, the gallantry of C^ajjlain 
Harris' Company is specially referred to; Captain of 25th 
Massachusetts Regiment, Colonel William Bond, March, 
1776, with General Wolf at siege of Quebec. 

{Genealogies and Estates of Charlesioiuii, Mass., Wyman.) 

John Taggard Blodgett, great-grandson. 

Nathaniel Viall, of Seekonk, Mass.; served as a private 
at Portsmouth. 

(O. W. & N. Div., Pension Bureau.) 

William Angell Viall, great-grandson. 

Dr. William Vincent, of Westerly, R. L; Surgeon in Col- 
onel Joseph Noyes' Regiment, in 1777-1778. 
{R. I. Colonial Records.) 

John Pendleton Randall, great-great-grandson. 

Thomas Waldron, of Bristol, R. I. ; private in Bristol, 
R. I., Militia Compau}^, Captain William Throop ; served 
eight months. 

(O. W. & N. Div., Pension Bureau.) 

Walter Lee Munro, great-grandson. 
Wilfred Harold Munro, great-grandson. 

IB 



[ 122 ] 

Samuel Wall, of Coveutiy, R. I. ; in March, 1777, was 
appointed by the General Assembly one of a committee to 
make regular lists of persons able to bear arms in the town 
of Coventry; in September, 1779, was elected Captain of the 
Alarm Company in the town of Coventry; in May, 1780, was 
elected Major of the Senior Class Regiment of Militia, in 
the County of Kent; in July, 1780, was appointed by the 
General Assembly one of the recruiting officers of the town 
of Coventry. 

(E. I. Colonial Records.) 

George Augustus Wall, great-great-grandson. 

Samuel Ward, of Westerly and Newport, R. I. ; repre- 
sented Westerly, in 1756, in the General Assemblj^ of Rhode 
Island ; was Chief Justice of Rhode Island in 1761 ; Gov- 
ernor in 17G2 and 1763, and from 1765 to 1771 ; delegate from 
Rhode Island to the General Congress of the Colonies, in 
1774, as well as to the Continental Congress, May 10, 1775, of 
which he was one of the most efficient members ; was Chair- 
man of the Committee of the Whole when Washington was 
elected General of the Continental army; as earl}' as 1774, 
as Chairman of a Committee of the town of Westerlj^ he in- 
troduced a series of resolutions in a spirit of patriotic devo- 
tion to the rights of the people of the Colonies ; he died in 
the midst of his devoted services for the establishment of the 
independence of his country, at Philadelphia, March 26, 1776. 

{R. I. Colonial Records.) 

William Maxwell Greene, great-grandson. 
William Chace Greene, great-great-grandson. 

John Warner, of Warwick, R. I. ; commissioned by au- 
thority of the Continental Congress, July I'J, 1776, Captain 
of the sloop " Yankee Ranger," to attack, seize, and take the 
ships and other vessels belonging to the inhabitants of Great 
Britain, &c. ; August 23, 1776, in company with the sloop 
"Montgomery," William Rhodes, Master, in latitude 31" 25' 
Iiorth, captured the brigantine "Dee," bound from Dominica 



[ 123 ] 

to Lancaster, loaded with coffee, corn, sugar, &c. ; February 
9, 1777, Acting Quartermaster at the military post at War- 
wick Neck, R. I. ; December, 1776, appointed Captain Lieu- 
tenant in Captain Samuel Sweet's Company of the Rhode 
Island Regiment of Artillery, and served in this position to 
Januarj'- 10, 1778; February, 1778, Captain Lieutenant in 
Captain Garzia's Company, in Colonel Robert Elliott's Regi- 
ment of Artillery; May, 1778, Deputy from Warwick,' and 
appointed committee to pay bounty allowed soldiers from 
Warwick ; February, March, April, and May, 1779, Captain 
of the Fifth Company of the Rhode Island Regiment of Ar- 
tillery, Colonel Robert Elliott. 

(Archives of the State of Rhode Istand, and lyrivcde papers.) 
Edward Field, great-great-grandson. 

Levi Washburn, of Bridgewater, Mass. ; Sergeant in 
Captain Robert Orr's Company at the battles of Lexington 
and Concord, April 19, 1775, serving eight days ; later became 
Captain. 

{Archives of the Commonivealtli of Massachusetts. MitchetVs 
History of Bridgewater.) 

RoscoE Stetson Washburn, great-grandson. 

Asa Waterman, of Norwich, Conn. ; Captain and Issuing 
Commissary of Rhode Island, and Deputy Commissary-Gen- 
eral ; commissioned by Governor Trumbull, of Connecticut, 
to receive and deliver provisions for Connecticut troops in 
Rhode Island, December 14, 1776. 

{R. I. Colonial Records.) 

Shearjashub T. Watson, great-grandson (deceased). 

Daniel Waters, of Killingly, Conn. ; Lieutenant in Cap- 
tain Ephraim Warren's Company; served seven days ; in 
the list of men who marched from the Connecticut towns 
for the relief of Boston, April, 1775 ; in Captain Ephraim 
Warren's Company when it marched to West Chester, it 



[ 124 ] 

being the 5th Company in the 11th Regiment Militia in the 
Colony of Connecticut. 

{Records of Connecticut Men in the Revolution.) 

Hardin Chester Waters, great-great-grandson. 

Benjamin Weatherbee, of Bristol, R. I. ; minute-man in 
Captain George Gould's Company, which marched from 
Dedham on the alarm of April 19, 1775; served two days; 
September 30, 1779, private in Captain Joshua Leland's 
Company, Major Heath's Regiment ; enlisted September 30, 

1779, served one month twelve days; in Company of Guards; 
detached by order of General Hancock to man forts in and 
around Boston. 

(Arcliives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.) 

Reuben Aldridge Guild, great-grandson. 

Joshua Webb, of ; member of Convention 

of " Green Mountain Boys," September 25, 1776, which met 
at Dorset, Vt.; also at Westminster, Vt., October 30, 177G, 
and January 15, 1777, in the same place ; he was a member 
of the committee chosen to plan proceedings at the meeting, 
October 30, 1776, and a member of the committee chosen 
January 15, 1777, to raise money to ^?iy expenses of dele- 
gates to the Continental Congress and a member of the War 
Committee. 

{Family History.) 

Rev. Samuel Heber Webb, great-grandson. 
George Heber Webb, great-great-grandson. 

Luther Webb, of Rockingham, Vt. ; enlisted October 17, 

1780, in Captain Jonathan Holton's Company in Colonel 
Wood's Regiment ; served 15 days. 

(O. W. & N. Dili., Pension Bureau.) 

Rev. Samuel Heber Webb, grandson. 
George Heber Webb, great-grandson. 



[ 125 ] 

Ebenezer Welch, of Boston, Mass.; Midshipman in the 
Revolution. 

{Family Tradition.) 

John Taggard Blodgett, great-grandson. 

Hezekiah Welch, of Boston, Mass.; 2d Lieutenant, frigate 
"Boston," Captain Samuel Tucker, 1778 ; said to have served 
also with John Paul Jones. 

{Archives of the Covmioinuealth of Massachusetts.) 

John Taggard Blodgett, great-great-grandson. 

Aaron Weld, of Roxbury, Mass.; private in Captain Abel 
Mason's Company, Colonel Jacob Davis' Regiment ; this com- 
pany was summoned to Tiverton on June 22, 1780, to join the 
army stationed there ; discharged August 8, 1780. 

{Archives of the Commonivealth of Massachusetts.) 

James Helme Rickard, Jr., great-great-grandson. 

William West, of ; May, 1776, member 

of General Assembly ; in 1776, of committee to fortify town 
of Providence ; Colonel of Third Rhode Island Regiment, in 
1776 to 1778, and participated in battle of Rhode Island ; 
committee to distribute bounties to soldiers in Scituate, R. I.| 
in December, 1778, he paid £3,021, 5s., bounty to men under 
his command in Third Rhode Island Regiment ; in May, 1779, 
appointed General ; in 1776 promoted to Brigadier-General,' 
Militia of Providence County; was honorably discharged 
with vote of thanks from General Assembly ; in October, 
1776, was Representative to General Assembly; was Deputy- 
Governor of State from 1780-1781, and Judge of the Supreme 
Court in 1787, 1790. 

{R. I. Colonial Records.) 

William Battey Rhodes, great-great-grandson. 

Ephraim Westcott, of Cranston, R. I.; member of the 
Colonial Assembly of Rhode Island in 1776, when the Colony 



[ 120 ] 

passed an act renouncing all allegiance to the British crown ; 
he represented the town of Coventry in 177G-1777-1778 and 
1780 ; in January, 1 776, he was one of a committee to buy 
supplies of beef, &c.; in March, 1776, he was one of a com- 
mittee to procure 2,000 stand of arms and accoutrements for 
the troops ; in May, 1776, he was on committee to take the 
number of inhabitants of the Colony ; in April, 1777, was one 
of a committee to advance the soldiers' bounty and to pro- 
cure blankets ; member of Captain Samuel Wall's Alarm 
Company. 

{R. I. Colonial Records. Coll. R. I. Historical Society.) 

William Ray Greene, great-great-grandson. 

John Westcott, of Providence, R. I. ; served in corps 
known as Sullivan's Life Guards, which was selected by La- 
fayette to cover the rear guard in the retreat from Rhode 
Island on the night of August 30, 1778; appointed Ensign, 
October 23, 1778, by the Council of War for bravery and dis- 
tinguished services on the occasion of Sullivan's expedition 
against the British forces on Rhode Island. 

(O. W. & N. Div., Pension Bureau. Proceedings of the 
Council of War.) 

Robert Folger Westcott, grandson, 

Joseph Wheaton, of Rehoboth, Mass.; minute-man in 
Captain John Pen-y's Companj^ April 19th to 27th, 1775 ; 
private in Captain John Perry's Company, Colonel Timothy 
Walker's Regiment, served eight months ; held on prison 
ship at New York by the British until exchanged. 

(O. W. & N. Div., Pension Bureau.) 

Joseph Carpenter Wheaton Cole, great-grandson. 

Job Whipple, of Warwick, R. I.; private in Colonel Var- 
uum's Rhode Island Regiment. 

(O. W. & N. Div., Pension Bureau.) 

Lester Seneca Hill, great-grandson. 



[ 127 ] 



Benjamin Wilkinson, of Cumberland, E. I.; in 1775 was 

Ensign in Cumberland First Com- 
pany, Captain Enoch Weather- 
head, Train Band, Colony's Bri- 
gade; at the February session of 
the General Assembly, 1776, he 
was elected, with others, a com- 
mittee to procure as much gold 
and silver coin as they could for 
operations of the army of invasion 
of Canada; in the same year he 
was Lieutenant in the First Com- 
pany of Cumberland, Captain 
Enoch Weatherhead, in the Train 
Band of the Colony's Brigade ; in 
1778 Lieutenant in same company. 
{R. I. Colonial Records.) 

Frank Adolphus Williamson, 
great-great-grandson. 



James Williams, of Taunton, 
Mass.; C^aptain in a Company of 
Massachusetts Infantry, and pro- 
moted successively from Brigadier 
or Corporal. 

(Archives of the Commonwealth 
of Massachusetts.) 
Alfred Mason Williams, great- 
grandson (deceased). 




Sword formerly belongin;? to 
Lieutenant Benjamin Wilkin- 
son and carried by him during' 
the Revolutionary War. 



Squire Williams, of Scitnate, R. L ; enlisted in 1776 and 
served as guard at the beacon erected on Chopmist Hill, 
Scituate, for the purpose of alarming the country at the 
ai^proach of the enemy. 

{lievolutionary Defences in Rhode Island. Field.) 
James Wilmarth Williams, great-grandson. 

Timothy Wilmarth, of Chepachet, R. L; Captain of 



[ 128] 

Company of Infantry in Gloucester ; took part in tlie battle 
of Rhode Island, and aecomj)anied General Sullivan's expedi- 
tion to New York. 

{R. I. Colonial Records.) 

James Wilmarth Williams, great-great-grandson. 

Lemuel Winchester, of Amherst, N. H. ; served as Cor- 
poral in Captain Crosby's Corai^any at Bunker Hill ; the 
comijany was in service when Washington took command of 
the army, July 2, 1775; Lemuel Winchester signed the fol- 
lowing: "Wilmington, November 29, 1776. We, the sub- 
scribes whose names are under written, do solemnly promise 
and engage to equip ourselves according to law, as is specified 
in said Act, for raising a reinforcement to ye American Armj', 
and to stand at minutes warning till ye first of March next, 
if not called for before, and if called to march to reinforce 
ye American Army, before ye first of March next to remain 
three months in ye service of ye United States, and be sub- 
ject to all ye laws and regulations of said Army, as witness our 
hand." 

(Records of Town of Amherst, N. H. Archives of the 
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.) 

Edward Balch Knight, great-grandson. 

Russell Winchester Knight, great-great-grandson. 

Jotham Wood, of Lancaster, Mass. ; appears on a pay- 
roll for six-months men, raised by the town of Lancaster, for 
service in Continental army during 1780 ; he marched July 
10, 1780, was discharged January 20, 1781 ; served at West 
Point at time of Benedict Arnold's treason, in September, 
1780 ; name appears upon a clothing account, extending from 
1778 to 1782; private in Captain Abel Holden's Company, 
Lieutenant-Colonel Calvin Smith's Sixth Regiment, of Massa- 
chusetts trooj)S in service from January to December, 1781, 
for wages, &c.; his company, later was commanded bj^ Captain 
Wottles, and his regiment by Colonel Nixon; his name appears 
on a claim for arrears of pay of date 1784-1785, which entry 



[ 129 ] 

shows he reenlisted, and served after his six months' service 
expired; he returned home serionsljMnjiired, and lived nianj^ 
years almost helpless, djing in the last year of the century. 

(Archives of the CommoiiweaUh of Massachusetts.) 

George Allen Buffum, great-grandson. 

John Yeomans, of Newport, R. I.; Ensign in Shepherd's 
4th Massachnsetts Regiment, February 10, 1778; Lieutenant 
under Sullivan in Rhode Island, April 15, 1780 ; Inspector of 
Customs at Newport, R. I., from 1790 till his death, July 12, 
1827 ; member of the Society of the Cincinnati, and name 
enrolled on parchment in Antiquarian Building, Worcester, 
Mass. 

(Archives of the Com^nonwealth of Massachusetts.) 

Frank Augustus Sheldon, great-great-grandson. 

Allen York, of Stonington, Conn.; enlisted in the Contin- 
ental army on the first call for troops. May 8, 1775 ; the call 
was made April and May, 1775 ; he was discharged with the 
rest at end of enlistment, December 17, 1775 ; the Colonel of 
the regiment was Samuel Holden Parsons ; remained on duty 
at New London until June, then ordered to the Boston camps 
in Roxbury by the Governor's Council ; there remained until 
the term of service expired, and was discharged December 
15, 1775 ; this regiment was adoj)ted as "Continental;" also 
enlisted in the 8th Regiment of Militia at New York, 1776, 
in Captain Holmes' Company ; enlisted September 8th ; dis- 
charged November 17th. 

(Connecticut Men in the Revolution.) 

Francis Wayland Miner, Jr., great-great-grandson. 

William Colwell, of Glocester, R. I., a soldier of the Revo- 
lution. 

Joseph Carpenter Wheaton Cole, great-grandson. 

17 



[ 130 ] 

Isaac Bowen, of Providence, R. I.; Lieutenaut of the 
Fii'st Company' of Infantiy of Providence, 1780, 1781, 1784 ; 
Ensign in 1770; in May, 1775, named for duty as night guard; 
a signer of tlie following: "The Declaration of the Inhabit- 
ants of Providence." " We the subscribers do solemnly and 
sincerely declare that we believe the War, Resistance and 
Opposition, in which the United American States are now 
engaged against the Fleets and Armies of Great Britain is, 
on the part of said States just and necessary, and that we 
will not directly or indirectlj^ afford assistance of anj^ sort or 
kind whatever to the said Fleets or Armies during the con- 
tinuance of the present War, but that we will heartily assist 
in the defence of the United States." Providence, August 5, 
177G. 

(R. I. Colonial Records. Providence Toivn Papers.) 

Edvtard Bowen Hamlin, great-grandson. 
Charles Wetter Bowmen, great-grandson. 
Richard Martin Bowmen, great-grandson. 

William Bradford, of Plympton, Mass., and Bristol, R. I.; 
Deputy from Bristol, R. I., May, 1761-62-63-64; Speaker, 
1765-66; Deputy, 1768-69-70-72-73-74-75; May, 1773, was 
one of committee on preservation of rights of the Colonies • 
under Royal Charter was elected Deputy-Governor, 1775-76- 
77 ; one of a committee of safety ; Major-General of forces of 
the Colonies in 1775; member of Council of Wai* during recess 
of General Assembly ; in 1776 represented Rhode Island in 
the Continental Congress ; served on following committees : 
March, 1776, to draft a letter to Congress regarding situation 
of fleet then in the State ; to examine Surgeons and Surgeons 
Mates for army and navj^; of Council of War regarding enemy 
having taken possession of Rhode Island ; to order placing 
of cannon and fortifications throughout the State ; to confer 
with committees from Massachusetts Bay, Connecticut, and 
New Hampshire, regarding sitnation at that time ; to charter 
vessels for purchase and transportation ; June, 1776, a com- 
pany was ordered from Prudence to Bristol to remain sub- 
ject to his orders ; September 23, 1776, corresponded with 



[ 131 ] 

General Washington as to exchange of prisoners ; in 1777 
was on committee to meet committee from New England and 
New York in Springfield, July 30th, as to the situation at 
that time; in 1778, Deputy in the House from Bristol; March 
12, 1778, was appointed to receive back rents of farms in pos- 
session of State; in 1779 was member of Council of War; 
retiring from office of Deputy-Governor a vote of thanks was 
extended him for able discharge of duties of the office by 
Deputies of the House; re-elected Deputy from Bristol, 1780- 
81-82 ; 1780, one of committee to meet at Hartford, Conn., to 
fill up quota of men and provide provisions for army; Speaker 
in 1782-83-84-85-86; Deputy in 1787-88-89-90; Speaker in 
1791-92 ; in 1792 was 2d Senator to Congress. 
{R. I. Colonial Records.) 

Le Roy Sprague Sanford, great-great-grandson. 
Arthur I>radford Spink, great-great-grandson, 

Nicholas Brown, of Providence ; who was among the first 
to take measures against the imposition of unjust taxes and 
to protest against the unlawful acts of British officers ; fur- 
nished munitions of war and assisted in raising recruits for 
the Continental armj^ ; member of committee appointed by 
Congress to build vessels for the Continental navy ; Com- 
missioner to adjust accounts between Rhode Island and the 
United States. 

{Archives of the State of Rhode Island.) 

Robert Grenville Brown, great-grandson (deceased). 

William Gammell, great-great-grandson. 

John Carter Brov^^n Woods, great-great-grandson. 

James Calder, of Boston, Mass.; private in Lieutenant 
Hopestill Hall's 2d Company, which marched on the alarm 
of April 19, 1775, from Dorchester, served three daj^s; private 
in Captain John Baker's Company, Colonel Samuel Gerrish's 
Regiment ; enlisted May 11, 1775, served two months, twenty- 
one days ; private in Captain Pettingill's Company, Colonel 
Gerrish's (Baldwin's) Regiment ; encamped at Sewall's Point, 
September, October, November, 1775; his name appears on 



[ 132 ] 

an order for Bounty Coat, or its equivalent in money, due for 
eight months' service, in 1775, in Captain Joseph Pettingill's 
Company, Colonel S. Baldwin's (38th) Regiment, dated Sewall's 
Point, November 19, 1775. 

{Archives of the Commonivealth of Massachusetts. O. W. 
& N. Div., Pension Bureau.) 

Howard Tucker Metcalf, great-grandson. 
Albert Lawton Calder, 2d great-grandson. 
Harold Metcalf, great-grandson.' 

Nathaniel Day, Jr., of Rhode Island ; private in Captain 
Anthony Potter's Company in Colonel Mathewson's Regi- 
ment, in the expedition against Rhode Island, August 22 to 
31, 1778 ; served also in Captain William Lawless' Company 
in Colonel Archibald Crary's Regiment, from Ma}^ 16 to Aug- 
ust 16, 1778. 

{Archives of ihe State of Rhode Island.) 

Francis Eliot Bates, great-grandson. 
Albert Greene Bates, great-grandson. 

Charles Holden, of ; commissioned paj'- 

master November 6, 1776, bj' General Washington, in the 
Second Battalion of Rhode Island troops, commanded by Col- 
onel Daniel Hitchcock ; paymaster in the Second Rhode 
Island Regiment, Colonel Israel Angell, 1777 ; delegate to 
the Hartford Convention, October 2, 1779 ; held various pub- 
lic offices. 

{American Archives, 6th Series.) 

George Metcalf Daniels, great-great-grandson. 

Esek Hopkins, of Providence, R. I.; August, 1775, was 
appointed commander of the garrison at Fox Point, in Provi- 
dence, on a threatened attack by British ships; in October, 
1775, was appointed to the command of a force of six luin- 
dred men for special service, to repel a force from the British 
fleet on a foraging expedition to the islands of Rhode Island 

' This name erroneously appears on page 56 as Howard Metcalf. 



^ 



7i K* 






K O 



> 
< 




[ 133 ] 

in quest of live stock ; later in the same month he was ap- 
pointed, with Joseph Brown, to go through the Colony and 
decide what places should be fortified and in what manner; 
October 4, 1775, he was commissioned Brigadier-General b}' 
Governor Nicholas Cook; December 22, 1775, he was con- 
firmed by Congress the Commander of the first naval fleet, 
organized and equipped by the colonies ; he sailed from 
Delaware Baj', February 17, 177G, made a descent on New 
Providence March 3, and captured the forts, with a large 
amount of nnlitary stores and upwards of 100 cannon, with 
which he sailed for New England ; April 4th he captured the 
British schooner " Hawke," of six guns. Captain Wallace, and 
on the 5tli the bomb brig "Bolton," of eight guns ; on the Gth 
he engaged the frigate "Glasgow," of 20 guns, and after an 
action of three hours she escaped into Newport under pro- 
tection of the British squadron ; the records show that after 
his retirement from the navy he was constantly engaged in 
duties of a public nature. 

{Esek Hopkins, Commander-in-Chief of the American 
Navy, hy Edward Field, Providence, 1898. B. I. Colonial 
Records.) 

AsAHEL Simmons Hawkins, great-great-grandson. 
Amos Micajah Hawkins, great-great-grandson. 
Frederick Greene Hawkins, great-great-great-grand- 
son.' 

Eli Stoddard, of Woodburj', Conn.; enlisted in the Con- 
tinental army in 177G. 

{History of Ancient Woodhury) 

John Edwin Judson, great-great-grandson. 

Ithamar Eaton, of Weare, N. H.; private in Captain 
John Hale's Company in Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Gerrish's 
Regiment, New Hampsliire Volunteers, in General Gates' 
Saratoga Campaign, September 29 to October 25, 1777 ; En- 
sign in Captain Aaron Quimby's Company in Colonel Moses 



' This name erroneously appears on page 78 as Frederick Greene Hopkins. 



[ 134 ] 

Kelly's Regiment, New Hampshire Volunteers, in General 
Sullivan's army on Rhode Island, August 6 to August 27, 
1778; Lieutenant, 1780; Major of Second Battalion, New 
Hampshire Militia, 1792 ; Colonel, New Hampshire Militia, 
1800. 
{Archives of the Slate of New Hampshire.) 

William Eaton Foster, great-grandson. 

James Rhodes, of Warwick ; Deputy from Warwick, 
17G0, 17G6 and 1777; also Deputy for Westerly, 1770, 1771, 
1772 and 1773 ; in August, 1775, he was appointed by the 
General Assembly of Rhode Island, commander of the 250 
men ordered to proceed on an expedition to New Shoreham, 
R.I. 

{R. I. Colojual Records.) 

George Carpenter Arnold, great-great-great-grand- 
son. 



PROCEEDINGS 



OF THE 



RHODE ISLAND SOCIETY 



OF THE 



SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 




JOHN CARTER BROWN AVOODS, 

President, 1892-189;J. 



TIlllM) ANNUAL MHETING. 

June 24, 1893. 



THE third annual meetin<2^ of the Rhode Island Society 
of the Sons of the American Revolution is held by 
adjournment at the country house of tlie Union 
club, East Providence, June 24, 1893. 
The meeting is called to order by President John Carter 
Brown Woods, and the members and invited guests sit down 
to dinner at 2:30 o'clock. 

After dinner the business appertaining to the annual meet- 
ing is disposed of as follows : 

The reports of Olney Arnold, II, Treasurer, and Edward 
Field, Registrar, are received, read, and ordered placed on 
file. 

The officers elected for the ensuing year are : 

President, .... Amasa Mason Eaton. 

Vice-President, . . . Robert Grenville Brown. 

Treasurer, .... Olney Arnold, II. 

Secretary, .... Christopher Rhodes. 

Registrar, .... Edw^ard Field. 

Historian, .... Alfred Stone. 

Cliax)lain and Poet, . . Rev. Frederic Denison. 

William E. Foster, Esq., Historian of the Society, delivers 
the historical address. 

Rhode Island's Participation in the New England 
Campaigns of 1775-1781. 

The War of Independence, as a whole, may be conceived 
of as a drama, in which, while there was a good deal of ap- 
is 



[ 13S J 

pareiitly indisciiininate sceiie-sliifting-, the ti-ansaetioiis are 
seen to group themselves in three main acts. In this view of 
the ease the first act ends witli the evacuation of Boston, in 
March, 1776, and is performed wholly on New England soil. 
The second act ends with the battle of Rhode Island, in Aug- 
ust, 1778, and, with the exception of this closing scene, is per- 
formed almost wholly on the soil of the middle colonies — 
New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. The third act, 
closing with the battle of Yorktown, in October, 1781, consists 
almost wholly of a brilliantl.y executed series of movements 
in the southern colonies — yet even in this period also Arnold's 
marauding expedition in Connecticut serves to illustrate the 
general principle that New England, throughout the entire 
period, was considered an excellent " point of attack." 

If there is any one feature more obvious than another to a 
student of the military history of this period — more painfully 
obvious, one might say, if the student's sympathies follow the 
efforts of such leaders as Washington and Greene — it is the 
feature of "short enlistments." Most of the campaigns of 
the Revolutionary War were fought not by men who had en- 
listed for the war — with few but honoi'able exceptions — but 
by men who were willing to give their country eight or ten 
weeks of their valuable time — and that when the fighting was 
near their own homes — but at the end. of that time, no mat- 
ter in what stage of advancement the campaign might be, too 
often had no hesitation in turning back to their ploughs, their 
merchandise, oi- their pastures. I have said that there were 
notable exceptions to this, and few colonies have a more hon- 
orable record than Rhode Island in this jiarticnlai". Such 
names as Nathanael Greene, C'hristoj)her Greene, and Stephen 
Olney at once call to mind a military record of the opposite 
description — a record of men who won their spurs largely in 
fields remote from their home, and not in one year but in a 
series of years. Had the Commander-in-Chief been able to 
feel at every step that this was the type of support which he 
could command, the war would have been i^ushed to a suc- 
cessful conclusion long before the year 1781. It remains 
true, however, that, in general, the New England campaigns 



[ 139 ] 

were fought largely with New England men, and the Southern 
campaigns largely with Southern men ; and so, to narrow the 
case to the single colony of Rhode Island, much the larger 
part of the Rhode Island men whose names stand associated 
with a militarj' record in the Revolution performed their 
service somewhere in New England. 

There are, perhaps, two points of greatest interest in con- 
nection with this New England military service — three, if we 
include the wholly introductory episode of the " Gaspee " — 
namely, the siege of Boston and the siege of Newport. The 
most vivid and altogether enlightening comments on these 
transactions ai-e from contempoi-ary actors, such as Nathanael 
Greene and John Howland. Here is a bit of such "local 
color" from John Howland, the time being April, 1775, when, 
on the Lexington alarm, the Kentish Guards set out on their 
march from East Greenwich through Providence to the scene 
of war. 

"I viewed the company as they marched up the street," 
said John Howland,' "and observed Nathanael Greene, with 
his musket on his shoulder, in the ranks as a i^rivate." Later 
this march was unexpectedly interrupted, for the company 
as a whole, but not for four of the constituent members of it 
— three of whom were Nathanael Greene and his two brothei'S 
— who pushed on towards Boston. 

Later, when the steps were successively taken which ren- 
dered the town of Boston too narrow quarters for the king's 
troops to remain there longer. General Nathanael Greene's 
Brigade, comprising three Rhode Island regiments (as well as 
four Massachusetts regiments), took position on Prospect Hill, 
two miles to the north of Harvard College. " No troops in 
the whole army," says a later writer, " were equipped and 
appointed as they were, with their tents and marquees, and 
the 'four excellent field-pieces' which had once formed part 
of the garrison of Fort George."' More important than mere 
equii^ment were the discipline and " high state of efficiency " 
which came to characterize these Rhode Island regiments. 



1 Quoted in Greene's Life of Nathanael Greene, v. 1, p. 78. 
^Ibia, V. 1, p. 105. 



[ 140 ] 

Greene "spai'ed no pains, night or (\iiy, to teach them their 
duty," and was admirablj' seconded by Varnum and Hitch- 
cock. "Lee bestowed great encomiums upon their bearing 
and discipline," says the same writer. 

How effectively all this slow, steady, skillful work — this 
intelligent laying of foundations — was destined to count in 
the end, we now" know from the issue of the siege. Early in 
March the pi-eparations were nearl}^ completed. " To draw 
off the enenij^'s attention from the poiut of danger tlie Amer- 
cans began to fire from C'obble Hill, Lechniere Point," etc. 
The dawn of the 5th of March saw Dorchester Heights cov- 
ered with redoubts. General Greene's assignment was this 
hill. Later Nook's Hill was fortified, and the British recog- 
nized at once the significance of this "checkmate." "Howe 
had no choice but to flee, or drive the Americans from their 
strongholds, or see his ships sunk at their moorings. On the 
10th, soon after sunrise, boats tilled with soldiers and citizens 
were seen putting off from the wharves, and when the sun 
set, the city was once more in the hands of its own people." 

Exceptionally creditable is the connection of Rhode Island 
troops and Rhode Island officers with this "single brilliant 
stroke,"' as a distinguished writer of our day has well desig- 
nated it, which not merely followed up the undecisive engage- 
ment of the Bunker Hill battle with this thoroughly decisive 
freeing of all New England from British troops, but had a 
palpable effect in emboldening Congress to take the decisive 
step in favor of separate nationality so soon to follow in the 
Declaration of Independence. 

The second of these great episodes is the now familiar 
siege of Newport, two years later. It is true that in August, 
1777, there had been noteworthy fighting at Hubbardton 
and Bennington, in what is now the State of Vermont, but 
New England jurisdiction had not yet been firml}' estal)- 
lished on the western side of the Green Mountains. More- 
over these separate engagements were an integral part of 
the Saratoga campaign ; properly belonging, tlierefore, in the 
narrative of the operations in the middle colonies. 

' John Kiske's "American Revolution," v. 1, p. 172. 




WILLIAM EATON FOSTER, 
HisTOKiAN, 1890-1898. 



[ 141 ] 

The skillfully planned operations b}^ which the king's 
troops were dislodged from Boston, in March, 1776, stretched 
over a ijeriod of not far from a year, and were successful. 
It is true that after the British fleet sailed out of Boston 
harbor, in March, 1776, the British, to quote from Mr. Fiske, 
" never regained their foothold upon the main land of New 
England." But the position which they had taken in De- 
cember of the same year, on the large island in our bay, 
known variously as "Aquidneck," or "Rhode Island," had 
been a constant menace to the three southern New England 
colonies. 

In April of the year 1778 General John Sullivan took 
command at Providence. At this time the military repre- 
sentation of Rhode Island comprised two regiments in the 
" Continental army," and three in the State service, besides 
various independent companies, such as the Kentish Guards, 
all of whom were now massed for the attack on Newport. 
Regiments from other colonies brought the total of the 
American troops up to between 9,000 and 10,000, one brigade 
being commanded by the fearless Rhode Island officer. Gen- 
eral Varnum, while the French allies — both land and sea 
forces — supplied 4,000 more. In this case, also, we are able, 
from contemporary correspondence, to gain a somewhat defi- 
nite idea of the considerations which shaped the plan of 
attack ; and nowhere is there a more lucid and skillful fore- 
casting of the procedure than in a letter of General Gi'eene's, 
addressed to Washington, in July, 177S. At this time Greene 
was acting in a double capacity. He had, since March of 
this year, been acting as Qnartermaster-General of the ai-my, 
at Washington's urgent request, and bringing order out of 
the profoundest chaos in the commissary department; but 
he was also, at his own earnest request, serving at the same 
time as an active field officer. That on which dependence 
was placed in the operations against Newport was, of course, 
the co-operation of the French fleet ; and if that had not 
failed it is difficult to see how this Rhode Island campaign 
should not have resulted — as it was, not without reason, 
expected to result — not merely in regaining Newport and 



[ li^' ] 

Aquidneek, not merely' in dislodging the king's troops from 
Rhode Island, and, indeed, from New England, bnt in strik- 
ing the one decisive blow which should end the war. 

Tlie Rhode Island campaign was a good instance of intelli- 
gence in planning. It was a marked instance of superb 
fighting. "The best fought action of the war," was La- 
faj^ette's dictum upon it, in later j^ears, and few were better 
entitled to judge than he. Rhode Island military experience, 
judgment, and critical discernment were conspicuous, as we 
have seen, in the preliminary steps which led to the shaping 
of the campaign. Rhode Island courage, endurance, and heroic 
daring were scarcely less conspicuous, as abundant contem- 
porary accounts testify, in the actual figliting which took 
place on the slopes of Quaker Hill and Butts Hill during those 
memorable August days. In particular should be cited the 
conduct of the men under Varnum and Greene.' Rhode Island, 
to this day, remembers, and has just cause to remember, the 
heroic achievements of her sons on fields so remote from 
home as Red Bank or Yorktown ; but she remembers with 
equal honor and equal pride the deeds which reflected credit 
upon her name within New England — indeed, within her 
own State limits. 

Rev. Frederic Denison, Poet of the Society, reads the fol- 
lowing poem, written for the occasion : 

Brown University in the Revolution, 

Our Mother, of the Liberal Arts, 

Maintains her old heroic flame, 
Recalling stalwart, generous hearts. 

Who reared her shrine and gave her name. 

She counts, witli patriotic pride. 

The struggles of her early years. 
When tj'rannies she firm defied. 

Unheeding doubts and spurning fears. 



' Gen. Sullivan's report, in the " Collections " of the Rhode Island Historical Society 

V. C, p. 104. 



[ 143 ] 

Her altar burned with purest fires— 
The genuine Promethean blaze, 

That, heaven-lit, nevermore expires. 
But shines with ever widening rays. 

The embers in her ancient hall 
She fondly fans afresh to-daj^. 

And, answering to her children's call. 
Indulges her historic lay : 

"Mine was a mission quite above 
Old systems of philosophy : 
Man's common brotherhood to prove 
And, if need be, for it to die. 

This thesis was my natal text : 

Unchain the flesh, unbind the soul. 

Let voice of conscience be unvexed. 

Let right, not power, command the whole. 

Alike, with equal hand, I gave 

Jew, Baptist, Quaker, Puritan, 
And Churchman what all men should have : 

The liberal fruitage of my plan. 

In this, at first, I stood alone ; 

No other seat of classic lore 
Presumed the bi'oad idea to own ; 

New light of truth my altar bore. 

Such are the truest scholars, who 
Maintain the sovereignty of jnind. 

And in their freedom dare and do 
For the uplifting of mankind. 

There is a royalty of soul 

That has, direct from God, its birth. 
Predestined to secure control 

'Mong all the peoples of the earth. 



[ 144 ] 

The crucial question came, as blast 
That tests tlie fibre of the oak : 

Sliall despotism bind men fast ? 
Or justice lift resisting- strolve? 

My classic doors were open flung 

When Freedom called her sons to arms, 

And every heart with challenge rung 
When patriot-bugles blew alarms. 

I saw the 'Gaspee's' dying glare — 

In truth I helped, somewhat, the plea — 

I joined the town on Market Square, 
And cheered the burning of the tea. 

I heard the conflict's opening gun 

Ring out from Narragansett's strand ; 

I heard the call from Lexington 

That sent its thrill through all the land. 

The startled farmer left his plough. 
The trader left his merchandise, 

Resolved that they would never bow 
To what a tyrant might devise. 

I sent my Manning to the front 

To lead in patriot debate, 
Who bravely spoke, as was his wont, 

In all the high att'airs of state. 

Here Fi'eedom spoke her will before 
The voice from Independence Hall ; 

Here freemen, standing on their shore, 
First vowed to win the fight or fall. 

For six war-crimsoned, testing j'ears, 
M}^ halls were given, to willing wait 

On Freedom's army, lending cheers 
To all defenders of the state. 




REV. FREDERIC DENISON, 
Chaplain. 



[ 145 ] 

Here innstered eager volunteers ; 

Here borne the wounded from the field, 
Who to their comrades sent fresh elieers, 

And thus their Spartan blood revealed. 

My rooms were barracks, and for wards 
Of sick, both camp and hospital. 

And whatsoever work accords 
With sanguine, martial spectacle. 

And here the fife and muffled drum 
Oft lent their notes of tearful dirge 

For soldiers, borne to their last home, 
In silent tents on life's last verge. 

Here Stars and Lilies were allied ; 

Here Hope strong to her Anchor held ; 
Though Freedom's valiant votaries died, 

They yet by faith the triumph spelled. 

In memory I still can trace 

The footmarks of the Gallic troops 

That bore themselves with knightly grace 
And gave our cause its larger hopes. 

Upon the brow of yonder hill 

The outline of their camp is found, 

Where, on my quickened ear, is still 
The sentry's challenge passed around. 

I read the hill-top signal blaze ; 

I viewed the armies marching by 
To battlefields, and spoke my praise 

As they pressed on to win or die. 

I cheered our ships adown our Bay, 

Armed with the guns Rhode Island cast. 

On ocean waves their part to plaj'' 
Until the fiery storm was past. 

19 



[ 146 ] 

My heart beat high in those hot days 
When stood a continent at stake ; 

When freemen, choosing justice's ways, 
Decreed a tyrant's yoke to break. 

My halls are hallowed by tlie names 
Of those who souglit the true to find, 

And, owning virtue's highest claims, 
Gave up their lives to bless mankind. 

My gifted sons have held their lights 

In civic, and in sacred place, 
Defenders of all human rights, 

And worthy winners in life's race. 

And now, on every patriot-day 

I lift the Starry Flag above 
My walls, and shout, in patriot-lay, 

The names that freemen ever love : 

Our peerless Washington, the man 
God gave our nation at her birth. 

Himself a host in Freedom's van. 
And still a leader in the earth. 

Then Hopkins, Varnum, Hitchcock, Greene ; 

Then Rochambeau and Lafayette, 
Whose lives remain in fadeless sheen. 

Whose deeds our land may not forget. 

Then Ward and Angell I give tongue ; 

Then Olney, Whipple, Barton, Brown, 
And yeomen chivalrous, who wrung 

Their rights from an oppressive crown. 

To private soldiers be the meed 

Of special praise ; they dealt the blows 

And wrought the memorable deed 
That humbled our imperial foes : 



[ 1^7 ] 

Like Williams, Spencer, Rhodes, Brownell, 
And Thui'ber, Potter, Harrison, 

And Mason, whom we proudly tell, 
And sing the honors that they won. 

And so the happy issue came ; 

The Lion turned him to his lair ; 
A new republic rose to fame, 

The fairest Flag on earth to bear. 

As out of chaos rose the light, 

As from upheavals life outsprings. 

So out of battles grew the right 
That now a mighty nation sings. 

Peace to the ashes of the braves. 

Let sacred honor speak their claims ; 

We strew fresh laurels on their graves, 
And give to sweetest song their names. 

And ye, so highly favoi-ed Sons 

Of Revolutionary Sires, 
Keep full aglow on altar stones 

The old-time patriotic fires." 



FOX in H ANNUAL ^MEETING. 

February 22, 1804. 



THE fourth annual meeting of the Rhode Island Society 
of the Sons of the American Revolution is lield Feb- 
ruary 22, 1894, at the Cabinet of the Rhode Island 
Historical Societj^ on Waterman street in Providence 
at 12 o'clock, noon. 

President Amasa M. Eaton presents his address as fol- 
lows : 

Address of Amasa M. Eaton, Esq., President. 

In accordance with the requirements of Section 5 of our 
B3'-Laws I have now the honor of submitting this address in 
writing at the end of my term of office. 

It is with great satisfaction that I report we have had a 
year of progress, and increase in membership. 

The Constitution and By-Laws adopted upon the organiza- 
tion of our Society have shown to us, through experience, in 
what respects they were defective. They were, therefore, 
carefull}'^ rewritten with a view to correcting such defects 
and omissions, and in doing this work we were also guided by 
tlie Constitution and By-Laws of other sister societies. This 
new Constitution and By-Laws were adopted at our meeting- 
held last October, and now we find ourselves adequately 
equipped with rules for our guidance. 

And b}^ the adoption to-day of the Charter granted by our 
General Assembly we have now become a corporation, and 
not merely a voluntarj'^ association. 

I congratulate the Society that we have also, during the 
year last past, entered actively upon work of a lasting char- 
acter, directly in the line of the objects of our Society, as 




AMASA MASOX EATON, 
Pbksident, 1893-1894. 



[ 140 ] 

stated in Article II of our Constitution, i. e., "To perpetuate 
the spirit and memory of the deeds of the patriots who 
achieved American Independence and who secured to us the 
blessings of liberty." At our meeting last October it was 
resolved that the President appoint a committee of five, with 
authority to act and to erect a memorial tablet upon the Board 
of Trade building, to commemorate the action of the citizens 
of Providence in burning British taxed tea on the night of 
March 2d, 1775. Compatriots Alfred Stone, John E. Ken- 
drick, George E. Barstow, Edward B. Knight, and James H. 
Tower were appointed such a committee. 

As history tells us that the women of Providence took part 
in this Providence tea burning it was felt to be peculiarly 
appropriate that Gaspee Chapter of the Daughters of the 
American Revolution should join us in this patriotic under- 
taking. The committee on the Memorial Tablet were em- 
powered by the Board of Managers to confer with a committee 
appointed by the Society of the Daughters of the American 
Revolution, with full power to unite with them in the erection 
of this Memorial Tablet. 

This has been done ; the accepted design for the tablet has 
been placed in the hands of the Gorham Manufacturing Co., 
who are to cast the bronze, and it is intended to complete its 
erection next month with appropriate exercises and cere- 
monies. Each society is to pay about 150 dollars, the esti- 
mated expense being 300 dollars. Contributions to this fund 
may be made to Compatriot Kendrick the Treasurer of the 
committee. 

It has been the aim of the Board of Managers during the 
last year, not only to accomplish some practical result, such 
as the erection of this Memorial Tablet, but also, to bring the 
members of the Society into more direct and personal rela- 
tion with the Society and its management. With this end in 
view, and also to guard against the admission of any one not 
agreeable to the members, the Board has resolved that here- 
after, the Secretary is to make known to the membei-s all 
applications for membei'ship at least ten days before the 
meeting of the Board when such applications shall be acted 



[ 150 ] 

upon, and all members are requested to make known to the 
Board any reason for the non-acceptance of any such appli- 
cation, said communications to be regarded as strictly confi- 
dential. 

Owing to the change of date for the annual meeting to 
February 22, my term of office has covered only eight months. 
But a great deal has been accomplished during that short 
period, and I trust the Society will continue its growth in 
membership, in influence, and in usefulness. 

Christopher Rhodes, Secretary, presents the following report 
for the past year : 

Report of the Secretary. 

Providence, R. I., February 22d, 1894. 

To the Rhode Island Society of the Sons of the American 
Revolution : 

In compliance with the provisions of Section 6 of the By- 
Laws, the Secretary herewith presents his annual report : 

Amount collected for dinner tickets, ro- 
settes, certificates, annual dues, and 

admission fees $3!)!) 50 

Amount paid Treasurer $300 00 

Cash on hand to be paid Treasurer 9 50 

$399 50 

By much exertion the Secretary has been able to collect all 
the annual taxes, due the Society, up to the present time. 

It would be well if the members would remit their dues 
promptly. 

At a meeting of the Board of Managers held February 14, 
it was voted, "That, on account of the change of date on 
which the annual tax is due and payable, all members of the 
Society who joined previous to the adoption of the new Con- 
stitution, October 18, 1893, be giv'en a credit of 50 'cents on 
their annual tax, due February 22d, 1894, for the ensuing 
year." 



[ 151 ] 

Sixteen new members have been admitted since the last 
annual meeting— and several charter members have qualified 
—one has resigned. The total number of qualified members 
on the rolls of the Society is 1 22. 

Respectfully submitted, 

Christopher Rhodes, 

Secretary. 
Oluey Arnold, II, Treasurer, presents the following report : 
Treasurer's Report. 

To the Rhode Island Society of the Sons of the Ar)ierican 
Revolution : 

Receipts. 

Cash in bank June 1st, 1893 $10(3 31 

Dues, dinners, rosettes, &c 451 40 

Interest on bank account to date 1 48 

$559 19 
Expenditures. 

Annual dinner, June 24, 1893 $95 75 

Rosettes, year ending February 22 18 15 

Stationer}^ stamps, and printing 54 82 

Society's Seal (wood cut) . 6 50 

Certificates of membership 26 00 

Dinner of Society, October 18, 1893 206 60 

$407 82 
Cash in bank February 22, 1894 151 37 

$559 19 

Olney Arnold, II, 

Treasurer. 
Providence, R. L, February 22, 1894. 



[ 152 ] 

Vouchers for receipts and expenditures examined and found 
correct. 

Joseph C. W. Cole, 

Auditor. 
February 19, 1804. 

Edward Field, Registrar, presents the following report: 

Report of the Registrar. 

To the Rhode Island Society of the Sons of the American 
Revolution : 

On the ISth daj^ of October last, a new Constitution and 
By-Laws was adopted by the Society, in which it is provided 
that the annual meeting shall be held on the 22d day of Feb- 
ruary instead of the 29th day of May, as the laws of the 
Society formerly provided ; the time, therefore, covered by 
this report, will be for the eight months only. 

The total number of members of the Society to whom cer- 
tificates have been issued is 119. 

During this period there were admitted to the Society 24 
members, one of whom is the son of a Revolutionary soldier. 

The members thus elected derive their eligibility from 
services rendered by their ancestors, in the following capaci- 
ties : 

Major-General 2 

Brigadier-General 1 

Colonel 3 

Captain 5 

Lieutenant 5 

Paymaster 1 

Ensign 2 

Sergeant 3 

Corporal 2 

Recruiting officer 1 

Private 10 

Deputy-Governor 2 



[ 153 ] 

Deputy 3 

Member of Continental Congress 2 

Senator - 

Judge 1 

Member of various committees I' 

Member of Council of War 3 

During the time covered by this report I have received 
the following additions to the Society's collection : 

From the Connecticut Society of the Sons of the American 
Revolution— Year book, 1892. 

From the Massachusetts Society of the Sons of the American 
Revolution— Year book, 1803. 

From the New York Society of the Sons of the American 
Revolution— Year book, 1893-1894. 

From Ex-President-General William Seward Webb — Cor- 
respondence of Samuel B. Webb, two volumes. 

These, when properly inscribed, will be deposited with the 
Rhode Island Historical Society, in accordance with the pro- 
vision of our By-Laws, thereby giving to persons interested a 
better opportunity of consulting the valuable material which 
these volun)es contain. 

At the meeting of the Board of Managers held on the 28th 
day of November, 1893, the Registrar was appointed a com- 
mittee to co-operate with the persons named in the act of 
incorporation passed by the General Assembl}^ at its Januarj^ 
session, 1891, in securing the acceptance of the charter. This 
duty has been jjerformed, and I have to report that the cor- 
poration of the Rhode Island Society of the Sons of the Amer- 
ican Revolution is duly organized. 

In December last, at mj^ suggestion, the newspapers in the 
city published a notice requesting all persons who knew where 
the grave of a Revolutionary soldier was located in Rhode 
Island to send such information to me. In reply to these 
notices I have received letters and visits from a number of 
persons, giving me the locations of many of these graves^ 
nearly all of which have for j'Cars been neglected and almost 
forgotten. 

20 



[ 15i ] 

Some lime ago the Massachusetts Society of the Sons of the 
American Revolution caused to be made a design for a metal 
marker, to be placed upon tiie graves of Revolutionai-y sol- 
diers, and at tlie semi-annual meeting held at Marblehead on 
the 19th day of October last a design was accepted. It con- 
sists of a rod, at the top of which is the cross of St. Louis one 
foot in diameter, being the ensign or badge of the Society, 
with the figure of the Concord luinute-man instead of the 
head of Washington ; each arm of the cross contains a letter 
of the inscription S. A. R. (Soldier of the American Revolu- 
tion), the lower arm having the date 1775. A socket can be 
attached to the rod to hold a bouquet of flowers. These mark- 
ers in iron cost one dollar each, and are manufactured by 
M. D. Jones & Co., 76 Washington street, Boston ; they are 
also furnished in bronze of finer workmanship but of similar 
design. 

I believe that this societj' should undertake a similar work 
in the State ; the expense would not be great, and each mem- 
ber would be glad to see that the grave of his own ancestor 
was appropriately marked. A few of these designs, pur- 
chased from time to time, and placed in different parts of the 
State, would, in a little while, produce a most gratifying 
result. One member to whom I have spoken regarding this 
matter has already volunteered to perform the work of mark- 
ing all the graves in the North Burying Ground and Swan 
Point Cemetery, if the Society will furnish the markers. The 
memory of the men who made this great Society possible 
should not be forgotten, and would in no better way be per- 
petuated than by having their last resting-place suitably 
identified. 

In order to ascertain if this Society might have the privilege 
of using these markers, in the event it should undertake to 
have the graves in Rhode Island marked, I addressed a letter 
to Nathan Warren, Esquire, Registrar of the Massachusetts 
Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, asking if 
this Society would be privileged to use their markers, and in 
reply received the following : 



[ 155 ] 

" Boston, Januaiy 10, 1894. 

Edward Field, Esq., Registrar, Providence. 

Dear Sir: Yours of the 3d inst. is at hand. We are 
pleased to know that you are agitating the subject of mark- 
ing the graves of Revolutionary soldiers and think favorable 
of our design. We think that the subject of your inquiry 
ought to be referred to our Board of Managers, which will 
hold a meeting in a few days, so I will communicate with 
you later. 

Very truly yours, 

Nathan Warren, 

Registrar.'''' 

Subsequently I received a letter as follows : 

"Boston, January 19, 1894. 
Edward Field, Esq , Registrar, Providence. 

Dear Sir: In further reply to yours of the 3d inst. I 
would state that at a meeting of our Board of Managers it 
was voted that you could use our design for a marker, and 
pleasure was expressed that you desired to do so. The manu- 
facturers will be instructed to send one to you. If you do 
not receive it shortly, please inform me. 

Yours very truly, 

Nathan Warren, 

Registrar.'''' 

By some oversight tliis sample marker has not yet been 
received, but the desci-iption previously given will convey to 
the members a good idea of its appearance. 

The coming year finds us better equipped for a Avork of 
this kind than ever before. The Society is perfectly organ- 
ized ; it has a substantial membership, and has already en- 
tered upon a life of activity, and it must not be forgotten 



L 15G ] 

that we are under some obligalioii — "to perpetuate the meiii- 
orj^ of the deeds of the patriots who achieved American In- 
dependence and who secured to us the blessings of liberty." 
In closing this report I desire to express my thanks to the 
officers and members of the Society for their hearty support 
and cooperation during the four years which I have held the 
position of Registrar of this Society. The time has come 
when I can no longer be considered a candidate for this 
office ; its increasing demands require more time than I have 
at my command to properl}' attend to the various duties 
which devolve upon the Registrar, and I must, therefore, at 
this time, retire from the office. 

Respectfully submitted, 

Edwaed Field, 

Registrai'. 

The officers elected for the ensuing year ai-e : 

President, .... Wilfred Harold Munro. 
Vice-President, . . . Edward Field. 
Secretary, .... Christopher Rhodes. 
Treasurer, .... Olney Arnold, II. 
Registrar, .... Alonzo Williams. 
Historian, .... Alfred Stone. 
Chaplain, .... Rev. Samuel Heber Webb. 

Poet, Rev. Frederic Denison. 

Delegates, . Edward Field and Dexter B. Potter. 
Alternates, William E. Foster, Alfred M. Williams, 
John E. Kendrick. 

Upon the conclusion of the business meeting the Society in 
a bod}^ proceeds to llie Empire room, Ti-ocadero, where the 
annual dinner is served. 

Alfred Stone, Esq., llistoiian of the Society, delivers the 
following address : 




ALFRED STONE, 

President, 1891-1893, 



[ 157 ] 
Events Preceding the Outbreak of the Revolution. 

Mr. President and Compcdriots: 

The duty of the Historian of this Soeietj', as set forth in 
Section 10 of its By-Laws, is "to keep a record of all facts in 
connection with the Society, which he may judge to be of 
historic value, and shall make an address in writing at each 
annual meeting." 

Since the last annual meeting action has been taken, in 
conjunction with the Gaspee Chapter of the Daughters of 
the American Revolution, to commemorate the burning of 
British taxed tea by causing a bronze tablet to be made 
which will be placed on the westerly end of the City Build- 
ing on Market Square, and which will be dedicated with 
simple ceremonies on the 2d of March. 

Your Historian is also required to present in writing an 
annual address, and as it is one of the purposes of this Society 
to erect other memorials at different sites (such as the site of 
the Liberty Tree on Olney street, the burial place of Esek 
Hopkins, the location of the Old Forge at Potowomut — Nan- 
quit Point — to commemorate the burning of the Gaspee, the 
site of the beacon at Field's Point, and others which he will 
not undertake to enumerate), it seems to him more proper to 
leave these purely local subjects to be treated by persons 
selected for the purpose, and at other and more ai^propriate 
times ; he will, therefore, in chronological order, touch upon 
a few of the incidents preceding and leading up to the actual 
breaking out of armed resistance, and in so doing he dis- 
claims an J' attempt at original research, but has freely availed 
himself of material to be found in that work which is so fre- 
quently quoted and so justly esteemed, "Staples Annals." 
He has quoted from and received inspiration from Rev. 
Edward Everett Hale's "One Hundred Years Ago," from Jus- 
tin Winsor's "Narrative and Critical History of America," and 
incidents obtained from letters written at the time of the 
occupation of Boston, edited b}^ William P. Uphara, and 
from other familiar sources. 

He believes that the steps which are traced and hinted at 



[ 158 ] 

are steps in the development of a higher civilization for the 
whole English speaking people, and that the establishment 
of the United States of America as an independent nation, 
on the basis of the equal rights of each individual man under 
the law, was a natural sequence of the Magna C'harta, and 
that it was given to the peojjle from whom we claim descent 
to maintain and perpetuate in the British colonies that spirit 
of liberty which grew up and flourished in a nation strug- 
gling for existence under the most trying circumstances to a 
far greater degree than was possible with their kith and kin 
in Great Britain under the more immediate and corrupting 
influence of a more or less profligate and effeminate court, to 
maintain which the government had to avail itself of every 
means to raise the necessary revenues and thought it neces- 
sary then, as now, to retain its grip on all its colonies, no 
matter at what cost of money or sacrifice of life. To accom- 
plish these purposes of raising a revenue and holding on to 
the colonies which had grown up on these shores under the 
patents and grants of the kings of England, from 1G20 down 
to the time of which we are speaking, made it necessary for 
parliament to enact those laws which, under the growing 
spirit of liberty and in the first throes of the scarcely fell 
and as yet undefined desire for independence, gave the en- 
croachments of the crown the appearance, at least, of adding 
to and increasing burdens of a frugal and simple people, to 
such a degree that they became at last to be regarded as tlie 
intolerant oppressions and insolent demands of the mother 
country under the rule of the " best of kings" — the familiar 
appellation of one hundred and twenty years ago for that 
obstinate ruler, George III — to whom, and not to his minis- 
ters, was more directly due the "dismemberment of an em- 
pire " than was at that time thought to be the case. George 
the Third, and not the miiiistery, was the real power — not 
heliind, but on, the throne, who was the cause of our woes ; 
and yet our fathers in those days, laboring under what 
proves to have been false and inaccurate information, hung 
in effigy Lord North, the Earl of Bute, and others of the min- 
istery, instead of the king. 



[ 159 ] 

But though the people of this country did not, at that day, 
generally appreciate that Lord North was kept from desert- 
ing the king by the special pleading and imploring of George 
the Third, they were constantly harrassed and goaded to rebel- 
lion by the unjust taxation and other indignities heaped upon 
them by the British government. 

The wars of Great Britain waged against Spain and France, 
the latter ending in 1763, resulted in splendid victories and 
gave her jurisdiction over provinces which it would have 
been better for her never to have acquired — left her also 
with an enormous national debt which induced her to attempt 
to raise a revenue from her colonies by enforcing her naviga- 
tion acts and by imposing a stamp and other duties. The 
colonies, having been for a long time revelling in an absti- 
nence from those burdens, " insisted that they were entitled to 
all the riglits of native-born Englishmen," and all the col- 
onies were united in the one idea that taxation was the right 
of colonial legislatures elected by their own suffrages, and 
not of the British parliament, in the election of whose mem- 
bers they had no voice. 

As early as 1761 James Otis, in arguing the writs of assist- 
ance, assumed the natural rights of the colonists to absolute 
independence. 

Patrick Henry, in 1763, denied the right of the king to 
negative the "Two-penny Act " of the Colonial Assembly. 

In 1764 the enforcement of the navigation acts in the great 
commercial centres, threatening the ruin of New England, 
was one of the more immediate causes, and prepared the 
people for the general outbreak in 1765, following the pas- 
sage of the Stamp Act — such as the hanging and burning in 
effigy of the stamp distributors, the burning of the records of 
the Vice-Admiralty Court, sacking the house of the Comp- 
troller of the Customs, and the forcible entry of the house of 
Chief Justice Hutchinson, which was left in ruins by the 
mob. Other personal indignities were heaped on those ap- 
pointed to enforce the Stamp Act ; their houses were some- 
times burned, their property sometimes destroyed, and gen- 
erally they were forced to resign their offices. 



[ ^*io ] 

In Providence no acts of violence occurred, but a citizens' 
committee was appointed, in 17i!5, to draft instructions to 
their representatives in the General Assembly, from which I 
quote the following extracts : 

" As a full and free enjoyment of British libertj^ and of our 
particular rights, as colonists, long since precisely' known and 
ascertained by uninterrupted practice and usage from the 
first settlement of this country down to this time, is of un- 
speakable value, and strenuously to be contended foi', b}' the 
dutiful subjects of the best frame of government in the 
world, any attempts to deprive them thereof, must be very 
alarming and ought to be opposed, although in a decent 
manner, yet with the utmost firmness." 

" The refusal of Parliament to hear the humble petitions 
of the colonies against the Stamp-Act, the enlargement of the 
admiralty jurisdiction and the burdening of trade, we look 
upon as a great grievance, and directly against our rights, as 
subjects," and " we recommend you, in the most express 
manner, to use your utmost endeavors that commissioners 
be appointed by the Assembly to meet with the commission- 
ers from the other colonies on the continent, at New York on 
the first day of October next, agreeabl}^ to the proposals and 
request of the province of the Massachusetts Bay, signified 
to this colonj', in order to unite in a petition to the king, for 
relief from the Stamp Act and other grievances," and " We 
likewise request j^ou to do all in your power, consistent with 
our relation to Great Britain, toward postponing the intro- 
duction of the Stamp Act into this colony until the colonists 
may have opportunity to be heard in defence of such just 
rights as the}' will be deprived of by an execution of it. And 
to this end that you endeavor to procure our essential rights 
and privileges to be asserted in General Assembly." 

"And inasmuch as it hath been lately drawn into question, 
how far the people of this his Majesty's dominion of Rhode 
Island, have the right of being tried by juries, we earnestly 
recommend it to you, to procure an act to be passed, if it may 
be done, declaring that the courts of common law only, and 
not any court of admiralty, have and ought to have jurisdic- 
tion, in all causes, growing or arising in this colony on ac- 
count of levying or collecting any internal taxes, or of any 
matters relating thereto. — And that such process and way of 
trial, shall hereafter be had and used in such matters, as 
have been usual and accustomed, time out of mind ; and 
further, that no decree of any court of admiralty, respecting 
these matters, shall be executed in this colony." 




ALONZO WILLIAMS, 

Registrar, 1894-1S9o. 



[ I'^l ] 

This action was almost a declaration of independence from 
the British government, and being followed by similar action 
throughout the country, the Stamp Act was repealed in March, 
1706, but with British obduracy it was coupled with the irri- 
tating and nnnecessary declaration of the right of parliament 
to bind the colonies in all cases whatsoever. 

The rejoicing over the repeal of the Stamp Act was of short 
duration, as in 1767 the Townshend acts were passed, the first 
providing for the more effectual enforcement of the laws of 
trade, and the second laying a duty on paper, glass, paints, 
tea, etc., imported into the colonies, and legalizing writs of 
assistance. This was followed on the part of the colonj^ of 
Rhode Island by an agreement not to use certain imported 
articles, and to encourage the nse of things made bj^ home 
manufacturers, and also to encourage the raising of wool and 
flax. 

The agreement not to use imported articles went into effect 
January 1, 1766, and on the 13th of Februarj^ the following 
advertisement appeared in the Gazette : 

"The following tradesmen are wanted in the northern col- 
onies in America, and from the universal spirit which now 
prevails, for extending our manufactures, there cannot be 
an}' doubt but that suitable encouragement would be given 
them, if they should transport themselves from Great Britain 
or Ireland, into these delightful regions, quite removed out 
of the reach of the paw of oppression ; that is to say : All 
sorts of tradesmen in the linen and woolen manufacture, 
stocking weavers, steel makers, nailers, locksuiiths, gunsmiths, 
saw makers, cutlers, file makers, and in general all sorts of 
workers in the iron way ; clock and watch makers, paper 
makers, paper stainers, glass makers, makers of blue and 
white and other soi"ts of earth and stone ware, pipe makers, 
needle and pin makers, wire drawers, workers in brass and 
copper, buckle makers, button makers, glue makers, makers 
of painters' colors, glovers and engravers." 

The advertisement then states that the climate is very 
salubrious, enumerates many advantages which the trades- 
men would enjoy, and annexes a price current of many of 
the necessaries of life. 

Wheat is stated at two shillings nine pence sterling; rj^e, 

21 



[ 1G2 ] 

two shillings two pence ; Indian corn, one shilling sixpence 
per bushel ; beef, veal, and mutton, a penny half penny; 
pork, a penny three farthings ; butter, five pence, and cheese, 
three pence, per pound ; salt, one shilling six pence per 
bushel ; sugar, twentj'-seven shillings per cwt.; and firewood 
in the cities eight shillings per cord. The list of tradesmen 
included several arts in which considerable progress had 
already been made. The design, as far as regarded these, 
was to induce more finished woi'kmen, and in greater num- 
bers, to enrich the country with their skill and knowledge, 
and the result aimed at was to i-ender the colonies independ- 
ent of the mother country for any of the necessaries, or even 
conveniences or luxuries, of social life. 

In 1768 the colonies arrayed themselves more openly than 
ever against the king, their previous iwsition being one of 
opposition to the supremac}^ of parliament but loyalty to the 
king, and in that year Samuel Adams — profuse in expression 
of loyalty and disclaiming " the most distant thoughts of in- 
dependence" — rose to the loftiest principles of statesmanship 
in the declaration " that the supreme legislature in any free 
country, derives its power from the constitution by the fun- 
damental rules of which it is bounded and circumscribed ;" 
"that it is the glory of the British Constitution that it hath 
its foundations in the law of God and nature;" "that the 
necessity of rights and property is the great end of govern- 
ment ;" " That the colonists are natural born subjects by the 
spirit of the law of nature and nations ; " and " that the laws 
of God and nature were not made for i)oliticians to alter;" 
and distinctly asserted the rights of the colonists of Massa- 
chusetts on historical grounds. Demonstrations of ill-will 
were shown by the colonists to the customs officials, and the 
mob used abusive language against the governor, followed by 
the seizure by the custom officers of John Hancock's sloop 
" Liberty," laden with a cargo of Madeira wine. The officer 
in charge, refusing a bribe, was forcibly locked up in the 
cabin, the greater part of the cargo removed, and the re- 
mainder entered at the custom house as the whole cargo — an 
outbreak so flagrant that additional ti-oops were sent to 



[ 1«3 ] 

Boston in September of this year by General Gage, who was 
then at New York, and two additional regiments were ordered 
from Ireland. 

In June of the same year James Otis, probably, wrote the 
address to Governor Bernard, complaining of being invaded 
by an armed force, and in July there assembled in Provi- 
dence a large concourse of people and there dedicated a lib- 
erty tree. Laying their hands on the tree, Silas Downer made 
for the people this declaration : 

"We do, in the name and behalf of all the true sons of 
libert}^ in America, Great Britain, Ireland, Corsica, or where- 
soever they may be dispersed throughout the world, dedicate 
and solemnl3' devote this tree to be a tree of liberty. May all 
our councils and deliberations under its venerable branches, 
be guided by wisdom, and directed for the support and main- 
tenance of that liberty which our forefathers sought out and 
found under trees and in the wilderness. May it long flourish 
and may the sons of libertj' often repair thither to confirm 
and strengtiien each other ; when they look toward this 
sacred elm, may they be penetrated with a sense of their 
duty to themselves and their posterity; and may thej^, like 
the house of David, grow stronger and stronger, while their 
enemies, like the house of Saul, shall grow weaker and weaker. 
Amen." 

These resolves and declarations were carried out with 
varying success, as might have been expected, as it is never 
possible to enforce, in times when there is no excitement, 
that universal observance which compels a large number of 
people to deprive themselves of those things which minister 
to comfort and pi-ide for the purpose of enforcing an abstract 
principle, especiallj^ when neighboring colonies do not fully 
live up to these same agreements. 

In the spring of 1772 the ai-med schooner "Gaspee" arrived 
in Narragansett Bay to aid in enforcing the revenue laws, 
and was captured and burned by a body of men whose justi- 
fication came with the success of the Revolution, but wliose 
act was treasonable to the government under which they 
lived when the act was committed, and large rewards were 
offered for the discovery of the perpetrators, but no one was 



[ IGJ^ ] 

found raeau enough to betray his fellows and the act went 
unpunished, and thus was inaugurated the first armed resist- 
ance of the American people to his Majesty's duly appointed 
officers and representatives. Then followed the destruction 
of tea in Boston harbor on the 19th of January, 1774. 

General Gage was preparing for war, and advised England 
to save blood and treasure by sending out an army of twenty 
thousand men. He had with him in Boston thirty-five hun- 
dred troops, and did what he could to encourage the loyal- 
ists, and waited for the opening of spring, hoping for the re- 
inforcements from England for which he had written, and in 
February he sent Colonel Leslie by water from Boston to 
Marblehead, where he landed on Sunday, the 26th, while the 
people were at meeting, his objective point being Salem, 
where he heard there were some brass cannon and gun car- 
riages ; but, to quote from Edward Everett Hale, "his object 
was suspected and news immediately sent to Salem. When 
Colonel Leslie reached the North Bridge the drawbridge was 
up ; and one of these parleys followed, which, in all that his- 
tory, showed how anxious were both parties to keep within 
the forms of law. The people who assembled told Colonel 
Leslie that it was a private way and that he had no right to 
travel on it or to use the drawbridge. He undertook to ferry 
over a party in two scows, known then and now, in the lan- 
guage of New England, by the proud name of 'gondolas.' 
Their owners jumped in and began to scuttle them. In the 
scuffle which ensued some were pricked with bayonets." The 
Salem people, to this hour, say that blood was drawn, and 
claim the honor of the first " blood shed " of the Revolution- 
ary War. This is certain, that they made the first resistance 
to a military force of England. 

Leslie did not wish to force matters. Rev. Thomas liar- 
nard, the minister, dismissed his congregation, and was on 
hand, as a minister should be on such occasions. He per- 
suaded the Colonel to be moderate, and promised that the 
bridge should be lowered if the detachment did not march 
more than thirty or fifty rods on the other side. It was, for 
Leslie, a clear case of being " for the law but agin enforcing 



[ IGo ] 

it." He agreed to this. The bridge was lowered. The guns 
had been removed in the meanwhile. The detachment marched 
its thirtj' rods and marched back again, and Colonel Leslie 
returned to Boston. 

Trumbull, in "Mac Fingal," gives this account of the ex- 
pedition : 

" Through Salem straight, without delay. 
The bold battalion took its way ; 
Marched o'er the bridge in open sight 
Of several Yankees armed for fight ; 
Then, without loss of time or men. 
Veered round for Boston back again, 
And found so well their projects thrive, 
That every soul got home alive." 

Meanwhile General Gage was feeling the country in other 
directions. As February closed he sent Captain Brown and 
an ensign on foot to Worcester to examine the country with 
reference to a march inland. That two officers of the army 
could not ride in uniform with proper attendance into the in- 
terior was evidence enough that the mission in which General 
Gage was employed was hopeless. These two gentlemen went 
disguised as "countrymen," with "brown clothes, and red 
handkerchiefs round their necks." It is edifying to think of 
the skill with which two such Englishmen would maintain 
such a disguise. Bernicre's journal of the expedition is very 
funny. They traveled on foot and were, of course, recog- 
nized every few miles. Here is a specimen : 

"From that we went to Cambridge, a pretty town with a 
college built of brick. The ground is entirely level on which 
the town stands. We next went to Watertown and were not 
suspected. It is a pretty large town for America, but would 
be looked upon as a village in England. A little out of this 
town we went into a tavern — a Mr. Brewer's, a Whig. We 
called for dinner which was bi-ought in by a black woman. 
At first she was very civil, but afterwards began to eye us 
very attentively. She then went out and a little after re- 
turned, when we observed to her that it was a very fine 
country; upon which she answered, 'So it is; and we have 



[ ICG ] 

got brave fellows to defend it ; and, if you go up any higher 
you will find it so.' This disconcerted us a good deal and we 
imagined she knew us from our papers, which we took out 
before her, as the general had told us to pass for surveyors. 
However, we resolved not to sleep there that night as we had 
intended. Accordingly we paid our bill which amounted to 
two pounds odd shillings, but it was old tenor. After we had 
left the house we inquired of John, our servant, what she had 
said. He told us that she knew Capt. Brown very well ; that 
she had seen him five years before at Boston, and knew him 
to be an officer and that she was sure I was one also, and 
told John that he was a regular. He denied it ; but she said 
she knew our errand was to take a plan of the country ; that 
she had seen the river and road through C'harlestown on the 
paper. She also advised him to tell us not to go any higher 
for if we did we should meet with very bad usage." 

They then took John into their company at inns and other 
places, and at Sudbury, at the Golden Ball, since immortalized 
by Mr. Longfellow, they were fortunate enough to find a Tory 
landloid, in Mr. Jones. " Can you give us supper ? " "I can give 
you tea if you like." This was the Shibboleth that revealed a 
friend of government. Mr. Jones accredited them to other 
Tory innkeepers in the country above. They were sadly 
frightened on the rest of their journey ; but till thej' came to 
Mr. Barnes', at Marlborough, they had beds to sleep in. There 
their luck turned. No sooner were they under his roof than 
Sons of Liberty began to intimate that they must not stay, 
and i)oor Mr. Barnes had to lead them out bj^ a back way. 
The tired officers took up their march. 

" We resolved to push on at all hazards, but expected to 
be attacked on the causeway. However, we met nobody 
there, so began to think it was resolved to stop us in Sud- 
bury, which town we entered when we passed the causewaA'. 
About a quarter of a mile in the town we met three or four 
horsemen from whom we expected a few shot. When we 
came nigh thej^ opened to the riglit and left and quite 
crossed the road. However, they let us pass tlii-ough them 
without taking any notice, their opening being only chance ; 
but our api)rehensions made us interpret eveiytliing against 
us. At last we arrived at our friend Jones' again very much 
fatigued after walking thirty-two miles between two o'clock 



[ 167 ] 

and half after ten at night, through a road that everj^ step 
we sunk up to the ankles, and it blowing and drifting snow 
all the wa5\ Jones said he was glad to see us back as he 
was sure that we should meet with ill usage in that part of 
the country as they had been watching for us some time ; 
but said he found we were so deaf to his hints that he did 
not like to say anything for fear we sliould have taken it ill. 
We drank a bottle of Madeira wine which refreshed us very 
much, and went to bed and slept as sound as men could do 
that were very much fatigued." 

On the 2d of March the burning of tea in Market Square 
was the next local event of interest, and on the 5th, the an- 
niversary of the "Boston Massacre," Dr. Warren delivered 
an oration in the Old South, which was crowded. The Eng- 
lish officers occupied the steps to the pulpit, and some of them 
were in it. Warren and his friends entered the pulpit by a 
ladder on the outside. The officers did not interfere, and he 
went on with the address. It was pointed, vehement, but 
always ingenious in the determination to avoid an issue 
which could be called treasonable. Take this passage as a 
hint to these gentlemen around him of what Warren and his 
friends were learning : 

"Even the sending troops to put these acts in execution is 
not without advantage to us. Tlie exactness and beauty of 
their discipline inspire our youth with ardor in the pursuit 
of military knowledge. Charles the Invincible taught Peter 
the Great the art of wai". The battle of Pultowa convinced 
Charles of the proficiency Peter had nmde." 

Here is one of the statements, undoubtedly true of War- 
ren and his friends, that they were not seeking independ- 
ence, but there were men in that churcli who were : 

" But pardon me, my fellow-citizens : I know you want 
not zeal or fortitude. Yon Mill maintain your rights, or 
perish in the generous struggle. However difficult the com- 
bat, you will never decline it when freedom is the prize. An 
independence of Great Britain is not our aim. No; our 
wish is that Britain and the colonies may, like the oak and 
ivy, grow and increase in strength together. Bnt, whilst the 
infatuated plan of making one part of the empire slaves to 
the other is persisted in the interest and safety of Britain, as 



[ l^H ] 

well as the Colonies, require that the wise measures recom- 
mended by the Honorable the Continental Congress be stead- 
ily pursued, whereby the unnatural contest between a parent 
honored and a child beloved may probably be brought to 
such an issue as that the peace and happiness of both may 
be established upon a lasting basis. But if these pacific 
measures are ineffectual, and it appears that the onl,v way 
to safety is through fields of blood, I know you will not turn 
3^our faces fi'om j^our foes, but will undauntedly press forward 
until tyranny is trodden under foot, and you have fixed your 
adored Goddess Liberty fast bj^ a Brnitswicli^s side on the 
American Throne." 

George the Third and Liberty, like William and Mary, 
seated on an Amei'ican throne, probably had their last ap- 
pearance, even in prophecy, on that da}'. 

The end of the address is : 

" Having redeemed your country, and secured the blessing 
to future generations, who, fired by j'our example, shall emu- 
late your virtues and learn fi'om you the heavenly art of 
making millions happy with heartfelt joy, with transports all 
your own, you cry, 71)6 glorious work is done! then drop the 
mantle to some young Elisha and take your seats with kin- 
dred spirits in your native skies." 

Captain Chaj)man, of the Welch Fusileers, sat on the pul- 
pit stairs. He drew from his pocket a handful of bullets as 
Warren spoke, and held them in view of the people around 
him. Warren did not pause, but dropped a white handker- 
chief on the bullets. 

"On the nineteenth day of April, one thousand seven 
hundred and seventy-five, a day to be remembered by all 
Americans of the present generation, and which ought, and 
doubtless will be handed down to ages yet unborn, the troops 
of Britain, unprovoked, shed the blood of sundry of the loyal 
American subjects of the British king in the field of Lexing- 
ton." 

These words are the prophetic introduction of the " Narra- 
tive of the Excursion of the King's Troops under the Command 
of General Gage," which the Provincial Congress of Massachu- 
setts sent to England a hundred years ago. With infinite care 




THEODOKE FOSTER TILEINGIIAST, 
Secretary. lst)0-lS91. 



[ KiO ] 

the Congress drew up dej)ositioiis whieli were sworn to before 
"his Majesty's justices of the peace," that with all legal form 
thej" might show to the world who were the aggressors, now 
the ci'isis had come. Then they intrusted the precious volume 
containing these depositions to Richard Derby, of Salem, 
who sent John Derby with them to England. The vessel 
made a good run. She arrived on the 29th of May with the 
official papers, and the " Sukey," Captain Brown, with the 
government accounts, forwarded by General Gage, did not 
arrive till eleven days after. Meanwhile Arthur Lee and all 
the friends of America in London were steadily publishing 
the news of the " ministerial " attack on the people and the 
people's repulse of the army. The public charged the gov- 
ernment with concealing the news. Thus was it that when 

"The embattled farmers stood 
And fired the shot heard round the world," 

they told their own story. 

But it is not mj^ purpose to describe the battle of Lexington 
and Concord, nor the march of the troops who embarked in 
Boston from near the site of the old Boston and Piovidence 
depot, what is now Park Square, and were ferried to East 
Cambridge, where they took up their line of march to make 
the first attack, which resulted in an ignominious defeat and 
a harassing retreat ; nor can I be permitted to stop to dwell 
upon the battle of Bunker Hill, which followed in two months' 
time ; nor linger on the details of the occupation of Boston, 
with its harassing tales of suffering and its sometimes unin- 
spiring enumeration of the names of those who from a weak 
sense of duty, a timid fear of incurring the animosity of the 
army and its officers, a love of ease and desire to be on the 
strong side, held aloof from the progressive movement, and 
either declared themselves Tories or held themselves, as they 
thought, in even balance on both sides, and prided themselves 
on being judicious and fair, and yet were really despised by 
both patriots and Tories — men whose jiosition was well illus- 
trated during our great civil war in the attitude of the "Co]3- 
perheads." Nor can I pictui-e as I would like to the heroism 

8i 



[ 170] 

of the patriotic women whose instinct made them side with the 
right, and whose courage and endurance was illustrated then as 
we have seen it illustrated since in the days of the rebellion. 
But I must close with this thought, that the resistance to the 
legal government rightfully ruling these colonies began as a 
rebellion, but as it was a rebellion against unjust oppression, 
and as it was based on the divine right of the individual, it 
grew to be a successful revolution which established a new 
nation ; while in the dajs preceding the ISth of April, 1861, a 
i-ebellion was begun and directed against a legal government 
rightfully ruling over these United States, but, as it was a 
rebellion against a just and righteous government, and was 
inaugurated to perpetuate the grossest form of injustice and 
oppression, it never became anything but a rebellion, and its 
leaders and supporters were and always will be justly consid- 
ered and styled rebels. The success of the Revolution and the 
overthrow of the Rebellion have been the two great events, 
occurring within a single century, which have been alike 
beneficial to England and to America, and which have marked 
the onwai'd i^rogress of a nation wliose God is the Lord ; 
whose people liave twice exemplilied the grand principle that 
Righteousness Exalteth a Nation. 




WILFRED HAROLD MUNRO, 
President, 1894-1895. 



FIFTH ANNUAL MEFTING. 
February 22, 1895. 



THE fifth Hiinual ineetino; of the Rhode Islnud Society 
of tlie Sons of the American Revolntion is held at 
the C-abinet of the Rhode Island Historical Society, 
on Waterman street, in Providence, February 22, 
1895, at 12 o'clock, noon. 

President Wilfred H. Monro pi-esents his address, as follows: 

Address of Professor Wilfred II. Munro, President. 

Compatriots : Section V of our By-Laws requires that the 
President "shall present aii address in writing at the annual 
meeting at the end of his term of office." The custom of 
this Society, and, so far as I know, of the other State socie- 
ties, has limited this address to a statement of the work done 
during the year, and to suggestions of work for the future. 
This is perhaps a better preparation for the annual dinner, 
which must needs follow, than a long historical discourse 
would be. It certainly greatly simplifies the task of the 
President. The specification for an address in ivriting is a 
wise one. It secures an end in due season. If a speech were 
allowed, I fear the dinner would sometimes become cold while 
the speaker was still warm with his subject. 

The Society has done twice as much commemorative work 
during the last twelve months as has been accomplished in 
any previous year. A glorious record, one may say, and j-et 
our statistics (if I may use so large and comprehensive a 
word in this connection) show that we have had but two 
celebrations. If we " double our record " next year, we shall 



[ 172 ] 

not celebrate more tliau do oar brotliers around us every 
year. 

On the 2d of March, in connection with the Gaspee Chapter 
of the Daughters of the American Revolution, we placed 
upon the wall of the old "Market Building" the bronze tablet 
which commemorates the burning of the British taxed tea 
on or near the same spot, March 2d, 1775. Your President 
was then suffering with a severe attack of the Grip, and 
therefore could not deliver the address he had been invited 
to give. In his absence, the Vice-President of the Society, 
Mr. Edward Field, presided, with his habitual dignity, and 
the Rev. E. O. Bartlett, by his address, more than made up 
for the absence of the speaker originally selected. The 
tablet is a valuable addition to the historical plant of the 
city and State, and the committee who brought the project 
of its erection to so successful a completion deserve our 
hearty thanks. They have just reason to be proud of their 
work. 

Saturday, October Gth, the Society commemorated at Bristol 
the bombardment of that town bj^ a British fleet, Saturday, 
October 7, 1775. The Daughters of the American Revolution 
joined in the celebration, members from every Chapter being 
j)resent. The occasion was a most enjoyable one. The visit- 
ing Sons and Daugliters were conveyed in carriages to the 
residence of Mr. John Post Reynolds, on Bristol Neck, which 
was kindly thrown open for inspection by its owner. This 
house, built in early Colonial days, was for a time the head- 
quarters of the Marquis de Lafayette. Thence the procession 
moved to Mount Hope " by that landlocked bit of sea where 
bold King Philip held his Court of Braves." Thence to 
Ferry Hill where they looked off upon the waters over which 
Barton and his little company moved to the capture of Gen- 
eral Prescott. At the Town Hall the carriages were left. So 
large a number entered the hall that the resources of the 
caterer were greatly overtaxed. But for the energ}- of the 
Chairnuin of the Committee of Ai-rangements (Mr. Robt. 
P. Brown), and of his able stafif of amateur assistants, the 
banquet, gastronomically considered, would have been a most 




TABLET 

Placed on the Old Makket Building, Market Square, 
Providence, R. I. 



r 173 ] 

inelaiiclioly failure. Happily there was no failure in the 
literary programme, and the daj^ was unanimousl}' voted a 
success. 

April 30th, I attended as your Delegate, the Congress of the 
National Society, held in Washington. The report of this 
meeting has already appeared in printed form. It was voted 
to publish a National Year Book, which should contain a 
complete list of the members of the Societ}^ thus obviating 
the necessity of State Year Books. It was announced that a 
new badge had been adopted for the Society in place of those 
already authorized — a silver badge plated with gold, cost, $9. 
The membership of the Society was reported to be 4,592, in 
28 State Societies. Eight hundred and seventy-five papers 
had been filed during the year, of which 85 had been returned 
as unsatisfactory. The Society voted to approve the marker 
used bj' the Massachusetts Society to designate the graves of 
Revolutionary soldiers not otherwise marked. The question 
of uniting the two Societies, Sons of the American Revolution 
and Sons of the Revolution, was not formally discussed at any 
session of the Congress. Much was said upon the subject when 
the Congress was not in session. The opinion seemed to prevail 
that"our own Societ}' had already conceded more than could 
reasonabl.y be demanded, that the reciprocity was Irish reci- 
procity — all on one side. It seems most unfortunate that two 
societies of kindred origin and parallel aims can not unite 
their forces. The general impression is that onl}^ the per- 
verseness, or, as one of the delegates more picturesquely ex- 
pressed it, the "amazing cussedness," of half a dozen men 
keeps the two apart. 

So much for the work of the year. 

Your retiring President has three recommendations to 
make: 

1st. That more than one meeting shall be held each year 
in this city. 

2d. That more than one commemorative pilgrimage, like 
the Bi-istol celebration, shall be made each year. 

3d. That branches or Chapters of the Society (in subordi- 



L 17-i ] 

nation to the State Society) shall be established in several 
towns and cities in the State. 

Each and all of these recommendations, if carried ont, 
would, it seems to me, add largely to the meinbersliip of the 
Society and increase greatly its j)ower for good. 

1st, as to the additional meetings of the State Society. 
The ol)ject of this Societj^ is not to come together once a 
year to eat a dinner and to listen to the speeches of eloquent 
and witty orators. It is not to congratulate ourselves upon 
the deeds of our ancestors as we tell of tlie heroism the}^ 
manifested when they fought to make this country fi-ee. A 
society which lives only for such an object as that, as some 
societies do, has no valid reason for existence. The aim of 
this Society is to inculcate patriotism, that we, mindful ever 
of the heroic fortitude, the wise forethought, our fathers man- 
ifested in the days of the American Revolution, may be in- 
spired to deeds which shall prove us wortliy sons of those 
energetic and patriotic sires. We can not stand, as thej' 
stood, upon the battlefield with weapons in our hands (tho' 
some of you have so stood, God forbid that, in our day, we be 
forced again so to stand ! ) ; but we have a task to i^erform in 
this land to-day that is immeasurably more difficult of accom- 
plishment than any of which our ancestors dreamed. They, 
a people of one race, fought against the troops of a foreign 
foe. We, a people of composite blood, must fight against ihe 
forces of ignorance in our midst, and tiie forces of ignorance 
are infinitely more dangerous than were an}' of the battalions 
our fathei-s faced when George the Third was king. Every 
year our dangerous element becomes stronger in the Stale. 
How shall we repress that element? How shall we crush ii 
out? Naj', rather — how shall we subdue and tame and civ- 
ilize that element? How shall we transform it, as with proper 
treatment it niaj' be transfoi'med, into a power for the ad- 
vancement of the Commonwealth? That is the task Avhich 
confronts us. Sons of the American Revolution ! Tliat is the 
problem Ave must solve. Let us of the older stock of this 
American civilization meet together more frequently that we 
may ponder and discu.ss and be instructed about these things. 



[ 175] 

Last year Mr. Kendriek said some things concerning the 
dangers that menace us in Rhode Island in such a way that 
I have been thinking of them ever since. We need to think 
of such things always. To the welfare of his country no true 
patriot can give too much thought. Let us consider these 
things. Let us meet at times when we can secure the pres- 
ence of patriots from outside the State who may tell us of 
the work our brothers are doing as well as the work their 
fathers did. Almost all the societies meet on Washington's 
Birthday. It is almost impossible, therefore, to engage 
speakers at that time. Let us not confine ourselves to our 
" pent up Utica." Let us realize that the " whole boundless 
continent is ours," with all its glorious history, with all its 
limitless opportunities. Not many weeks ago I attended a 
banquet of the New York State Sons in New York city. It 
was the anniversai-y of the battle of the Cowpens, and the 
Governor, or Ex-Governor, of South Carolina was there as 
one of the principal speakers. (The Governor of North Car- 
olina was not present. He would have found no opportunity 
to get in his little casual remark if he had been.) It was a 
grand thing for New York, with all its battlegrounds, to com- 
memorate the engagement in South Carolina. Such things 
make us realize that we are brothers in very deed. Such 
things are sentiment, you say. Then, in God's name, let us 
have sentiment. Patriotism is sentiment. Can we have too 
much of it? Sentiment, crystallized as patriotism, has even 
a distinct commercial value, as history has proved over and 
over again. Let us so arouse the spirit of patriotism in Rhode 
Island that instead of one hundred and fifty we may have 
ten hundred and fifty members in this Society. What a 
mighty power for good government it would be? 

2d, Let us make two commemorative pilgrimages every 
year, one in the spring, one in the fall. The State is rich in 
historic places— richer still in historic events and historic 
associations. Its soil is enriched and hallowed with the dust 
of historic men. We shall not exhaust our opportunities for 
pilgrimages next year or the year after, or for many a year 
to come. People who dwell in regions not so blest will marvel 



[ l-'i ] 

at the capacity' of Rhode Island. Still will the wonder ijrow 
that one small State, that the smallest of the States, can hold 
so mneh that tends to niake men heroic. And, to fui'ther 
lliese pilgrimages, let us 

Srdly. Establish branches wherever twenty or more men, 
descendants of Revolutionary sires, are found dwelling in the 
same community. Other State societies do this thing. The 
Daughters of the American Revolution accomplish much by 
such organizations in Rhode Island and elsewhere. Connec- 
ticut establishes a local branch wherever twenty-five appli- 
cants demand it, and no State society does so much work, 
stimulates such ardent j)atriotism, as does that of Connecti- 
cut. It admits no person to membership in any branch until 
he is first admitted to the State society, thereby preventing 
carelessness respecting credentials. Local patriotism is not 
so valuable to one's Fatherland as national patriotism, but 
local patriotism develops national patriotism. Ten thousand 
little streamlets, ten thousand times ten thousand, unite to 
form one Mississippi, Let us, then, cultivate local patriotism. 
I dare say that no man here knows all the salient facts con- 
nected with the history of his own town in which he was 
born — that no man knows all its historic spots— that no nmn 
knows even all the ways in which it contributed to swell the 
tide that overwhelmed the forces of England in the days we 
celebrate— all the agencies in wdiieh its influence has been 
felt in the development of this mighty nation. There is no 
town so small it has not contributed something. I know 
somewhat of the history' of my native town of Bristol. I 
have perhaps looked into its past as carefully as anj^ mau 
(and I may tell you here that its historj^ alone will furnish 
you abundant opportunities for many pilgrimages). But 
because I am known to have studied that history, every j^ear 
some man or some woman tells me something I did not know 
concerning the days that are gone, something that makes me 
more glad that I was born where so many of my ancestors 
first saw the light, where so many of my ancestors lie buried. 
I rejoice that I am a Bristolian, I rejoice in a larger way 
that I am a Rhode Islander, I rejoice most of all that I am 




REV. EDWARD OTIS BARTI.ET 
C'hapi.ain, 1S9.")-]N!»(;. 



[ 177] 

an American. To leach these boys and girls of foreign par- 
entage that are growing up in the Union to be good citizens, 
let ns teach them first to love tlie town in which they live, 
and to do their duty in it. Let us teach them, as they grow 
older and their affections enlarge, to love their State as well 
as their town, and to aid its progress always. Let us teach 
them above all to love their country, to put forth all their 
energies in its behalf— to die, if needs be, in its defence, under 
the folds of the stars and stripes. So shall we justify the 
existence of the Society of the Sons of the American Revo- 
lution. So shall we prove ourselves tvurthy descendants of 
those whose deeds have brought us together this day. 

Christopher Rhodes, Esq., Secretary, presents his report 
for the past year, which is as follows : 

Report of the Secretary. 

Providence, February 22d, 1895. 

To the Rhode Island Society of the So77s of the American 
Revolution : 

In compliance with the provisions of Section 6 of the Bj'- 
Laws, the Secretary presents his annual report. 

Amount on hand, February 22, 1894 $9 50 

Collected from February 22, 1894, to Feb- 
ruary 22, 1895 507 2.3 

^516 73 



Amount paid Treasurer to date 516 73 

Twenty-eight new members have been admitted since our 
last annual meeting. Two members lost by death. Total 
number of members on the rolls of the Society, 148. 
Respectfully submitted, 

Christopher Rhodes, 

Secretary. 

Olney Arnold, II, Esq., Treasurer, presents his report for 
the past year, which is as follows : 

83 



[ 178 ] 
Treasurer's Report, 

For the Year Ending February 23, 189o. 

To the Rhode Island Society of the So)ts of the American 
Revolution : 

Receipts. 

Casli in bank, February 22, 1894 $151 37 

Dues, dinners, rosettes, certificates, etc., including 
$150 received from Gaspee C-liapter, Daughters of 
the American Revolution, to pay for a portion of 
expenses in erecting IVa Part}^ bronze tablet on 
Board of Trade Building 733 93 



Expenditures. 

Annual dinner, including necessary' 

printing, February 22, 1894 $196 23 

Stationery, stamps, printing, certifi- 
cates, express charges, fees to Regis- 
trar of Society, also expenses of dele- 
gates to meeting of National Society, 
etc 156 91 

Erecting bronze tablet on Board of 
Trade Building, to commemorate the 
burning of British taxed tea 301 75 

Rhode Island Society's annual dues of 
50 cents per member to National So- 
ciet}^ 60 50 

Floral offering to deceased members ... 8 00 

$723 39 
Cash in bank, February 22, 1895 161 91 



$885 30 



]o 30 



Olney Arnold, II, 

Treasurer. 
Providence, R. I., February 22, 1895. 

Correct, E. & O. E. 

Joseph C. W. Cole, Auditor. 



[ 179 ] 

No report is received from the Registrar, 

The officers elected for the ensuing year ai-e as follows : 

President., .... Edward Field. 
Vice-President, . . William Maxwell Greene. 
Secretary, .... Christopher Rhodes. 
Treasurer, . . . Olney Arnold, II. 
Registrar, .... Robert Perkins Brown. 
Historian, . . . Wilfred Harold Munro, 
Chaplain, .... Rev. Edward Otis Bartlett. 
Poet, .... Rev. Frederic Denison. 

Delegates, . Olney Arnold, Dexter Burton Potter. 
Alternates, John Carter Brown Woods, Nathaniel 

French Davis, William Thomas Church 

Wardwell. 

Upon the conclusion of the lousiness meeting the Society, 
in a body, proceeds to the Empire room, Trocadero, whei'e 
the annual dinner is served. 

Alfred Stone, Esq., Historian, delivers the following his- 
torical address : 

Revolutionary Landmarks. 

Since our last annual meeting we have, together with the 
Daughters of the American Revolution, placed on the west- 
erly end of the City Building, now occupied by the Board of 
Trade, a bronze tablet to commemorate the burning of British 
taxed tea, with this inscription thereon: "Near this spot the 
men and women of Providence showed their resistance to 
unjust taxation by burning British taxed tea in the night of 
March 2, 1775." The tablet was unveiled and dedicated with 
fitting ceremonies on the second of March, 1804, the one hun- 
dred and nineteenth anniversary of that event. 

This public act of defiance to Great Britian was one of the 
surface indications of the growing sentiment of opposition 
to the domination of the mother country, but this sentiment 



[ 180 ] 

was coupled with that spirit of loyalty to the existing gov- 
ernment which has always been a marked trait of the Anglo- 
Saxon people, and the conflict which existed in the hearts of 
the subjects of George the Third held many back from mani- 
festations of resistance and deterred manj^ from joining the 
ranks of the more outspoken enemies of the crown. The 
outbreaks which now and then occurred were like those which 
preceded the Wai- of tiie Rebellion, when the slave power, 
in full possession of the government, was constantly flaunt- 
ing its offensive supremacy by threatening to call the roll of 
its slaves under the shadow of Bunker Hill, by ostentatiously 
marching throngh the streets of Boston with its fugitive 
slaves, backed by the power of the Federal and State gov- 
ernments, and proclaiming to the world that no portion of 
the United States was free from the taint of slavery, and 
boldl}^ endeavoring to extend the "peculiar institution" into 
the new, and, and as yet, thinly inhabited territories, north 
as well as south of the Mason and Dixon line, little dream- 
ing in either case that, by their acts of defiance of the " highei" 
law," which was derided by both, that they were in the one 
case educating a people to declare their independence, and 
in the other, that they were wiping off the one great stain 
which made our boast that we were a free people, a by-word 
and a mockery. 

The growth of the spirit of freedom in both cases was slow, 
but sure, and in both cases that dread of open resistance, 
an appeal to arms, was considered by the dominant power 
an indication of weakness and of timidity; and as the firing 
upon Fort Sumter aronsed the dormant energies of the Noi'th, 
so did the mai'ch of the British troops on Lexington — and 
the battle of Bunker's Hill unite the people of the colonies 
for the common cause of resistance to Great Bi'itain, and in 
the determination to settle by the dread arbitrament of war 
not onlj^ the question of taxation without representation, but 
the far greater question of whether we should be an independ- 
ent nation with a republican form of government, or a sub- 
ject people dominated by a vicious king and an hereditary 
monarchy. 



[ 181 J 

In this movement, Rliode Island, under tlie leadership of 
Stephen Hopkins, that genuine statesman, that great man 
with rare "originative faculty," who, in the words of Chief 
Justice Durfee, devoted himself to a study of the question 
between the mother country and the colonies in its constitu- 
tional aspects, and marshalled the arguments on the side of 
the colonies with masterly ability, and found an argument 
for independence deeper than the logic of constitutional 
legitimacy, in the very nature of things, forbidding that this 
great country should remain merely a servicable dependency 
of Great Britain — Rhode Island, two months before the 
Declaration of Independence was signed, declared her own 
independence, and thus estal)lished the distinction of being 
the oldest sovereign State of the Union. 

When such questions arise, as the world does not move 
backward and but one permanent settlement can ever result 
— no matter whether it takes a thirty years' war, an eight 
years' war, or a five years' war — right must ultimately pre- 
vail, and in such a struggle the sympathy of onlookers is 
generally on the side of right. The colonists, at the outbreak 
of what began as a rebellion and by its success became a 
revolution, had the sympathy of what is now our sister re- 
public, France — a sympathy which found open expression in 
the co-operation and material assistance, both of men and 
munitions of war ; and in no part of our country did our 
French allies take a more prominent part than in Rhode 
Island. 

It cannot be denied that France was ready to do anything 
it could to thwart and annoy and injure Great Britain ; it is 
also true that at that time our people were not at all times 
satisfied with the conduct of the French officers who were 
sent out to aid us ; but the near view is not always the most 
correct view, and, by the light of history, we are glad to 
accord to France grateful praise for the service which she 
rendered, and we cherish and love the names of Lafayette, 
Pulaski, Fleury, Rochambeau, DeKalb, and a host of those 
who hastened to this country to offer their services as a part 
of the Continental Army, second only to those of our own 



[ 1B2 ] 

Washington, Greene, Hopkins, Whipple, Li^jpitt, and the 
host of all ranks from whom it is our proud boast that we 
are descended. 

This gratitude found fit expression, a few years ago, in the 
erection of a monument in the North Burial Ground, which 
was dedicated July 4, 1882. 

What was Providence in those pre-revolutionary days, and 
what preparations did it make to do what, in its heart}* co- 
operation with the State, it deemed to be its duty, in order to 
perform its share of the work and to help on the cause of 
independence? 

Founded a little more than a century before the war, it had 
felled the forests and prepared its soil for tillage, defended 
itself from wild beasts, and by incessant toil and patient 
drudger}' it had made for itself homes along the river front, 
with its broad proprietary acres extending eastward to the 
waters of the Seekonk, each with its orchard, its garden, its 
corn-field, its j)otato-patch, and its pasture, and each contain- 
ing a sacred spot where reposed the dead of its own family, 
two of which, the Waterman and Tillinghast burial places, 
are designated by monuments standing upon them. 

The inhabitants did not depend alone upon the products 
of the soil, but they soon became familiar with the store of 
fish in the rivers and baj', and of clams in the tide-flowed 
lands, which required no toil beyond the ingathering, and 
made them adepts in building canoes and boats to enable 
them to traverse the waters of the bay, where thej- could 
catch the one, and, to reach its shores, where they could dig 
the other. 

The growth of the town was slow, and as late as 1732 Gov- 
ernor Hopkins counted sevent^'-four houses on the east side 
and but twelve on the west side, as the total of the habita- 
tions of its people, showing, if this is an accurate count, that 
there was, at that date, a probable population of less than 
twelve hundred people within the limits of the town ; but the 
census returns show a population, in 17o0, of nearly 4,000 ; 
in 1748, of less than 3,500; and in 1774, of 4,321. A count 
of houses shows that there were 143 in 1749, and 309 in 1771, 



[ 183 ] 

a remarkable increase in the quarter of a century preceding 
the revolution. 

At the opening of the year 1776 the population was only 
4,355, and her men callable of bearing arms 726; " but she 
created in the previous year a navy of her own, and gave the 
command to Abraham Whipple, one of her own sons, and 
who, obedient to his orders, forthwith captured the tender of 
the fugitive British frigate ' Rose,' then off Newport, firing 
the first cannon against tlie Royal Navj^ in the war," and 
also in this same year recommended the creation of a Con- 
tinental Navy. Congress heeded this recommendation, and, 
when the fieet was built, appointed Esek Hopkins, a North 
Providence man, to command it. 

It is not, however, upon the naval prominence of Providence 
that I can dwell to-day, as I wish to say a few words in regard 
to its fortifications and to urge a recognition of this part of 
our revolutionary work bj' the erection of suitable reminders 
of their location. 

Before the outbreak of the war, the British sent out their 
revenue vessels to the mouth of the Narragausett Bay, and 
stationed them at Newport to prevent landing articles sub- 
ject to import duty. The captain of one of these vessels, 
while engaged in his legallj^ appointed duties, became ob- 
noxious to the inhabitants of the Rhode Island sea-coast, 
because he insisted upon boarding vessels leaving or entering 
ports, until, finally, his vessel, the " Gaspee," in giving chase 
to a sloop, grounded upon Conimicut Point." Her crew was 
captured, and she was burned. This outrage on law, and the 
destruction of a government vessel by the subjects of the 
governnrent, was the cause of much excitement in England, 
and an endeavor was made to apprehend the perpetrators 
and to send them to England for trial, which would have 
meant death to every one that was captured and deported ; 
but no one was mean enough to betray his neighbor, and 
Stephen Hopkins, then Chief Justice, declared that " for the 



*I have chosen to spell the name "Conimicut" as it is historic and is approved by 
that highest living authority, Mr. Sidney S. Rider. See Book Notes, Vol. 4, page 103. 



[ 18-t ] 

purpose of transportation for trial, I will neither apprehend 
anj' person bj' my own order, nor suffer anj^ executive officer 
of the colon}' to do it." This event undoubtedl}' drew es- 
pecial attention to the waters of Narragansett Bay, and sub- 
jected Rhode Island to great danger because of its extensive 
water front ; and, before the outbreaks at Lexington and 
Bunker's Hill, work was begun upon fortifications to guard 
against anticipated attacks from the British, and Governor 
Nicholas Cooke addressed a letter to "Washington, soliciting 
assistance, and asking him to order any part of the forces 
from near Boston which were sent to the southern colonies 
to march through this colony bj^the sea-shore, to observe and 
be ready to assist should any attempt at invasion occur. He 
also asked that some person acquainted with fortifications 
might be sent, if only for a few days, to assist in this most 
essential service to the common cause. Military companies 
were formed, and in the Providence Gazette of December 18, 
1775, we read: "Not a day passes, Sunday excepted, but 
some of the Companies are under arms ; so well convinced 
are the people that the complexion of the times renders a 
knowledge of the militarj^ as indispensably necessary." On 
the first Monday in April, a general muster of the militia of 
the colony took place, which was then about 2,000 men under 
arms in the county of Providence, and a troop of horse ; and 
as early as January, 1775, Stephen Jenckes, of North Provi- 
dence, had supplied several of the independent companies in 
Providence with muskets of his own manufacture, and others 
were engaged in the manufacture of general arms at the 
same time. 

News of the battle of Lexington reached Providence on 
the evening of April 19th, and on the morning of the 21st, 
several companies, about 1,000 men, had either marched, or 
were in readiness to march, to the assistance of their brothers 
in Massachusetts, and as early as the middle of June, Mr. 
Paul Allen had made up the town stock of powder and lead 
into cartridges, agreeable to a vote of the town, and he was 
directed to deliver out of these cartridges, and take a re- 
ceipt, to such of the inhabitants as he thought would make 




TIMOTHY NEWELL, M. D., 

Son of Lieut. Stephen Newell, of Stukbiudge, Mass. 
AN Officer of the Revolution. 



[ 185 ] 

a proper use of them, besides promising: to return them on 
demand if not used in the colonies' service. Not more than 
seventeen cartridges for each firearm fit for use was to be 
delivered, and the sum of nine pence, in lawful money, was 
imposed for each missing cartridge at any ordered review. 

On the 20th day of July, news of a startling nature was 
received from Newport. The British ships, under command 
of Captain James Wallace, lay in line of battle, with the in- 
tention of bombarding the town. Great excitement prevailed 
through the colony. Two days later the British commander, 
probably realizing? the importance of Newport as a rendez- 
vous, abandoned the idea of bombarding and departed on a 
cruise, but, returning later, he found that the efforts that had 
been made at Newport were too slight and the force too small 
to prevent the British occupation of the Island of Rhode 
Island which was maintained from December 8, 1776, until 
October 28, 1779. Narragansett Bay was thus blockaded, 
and many of the people from the Island fled to Providence 
to escape ill-treatment and the spoliation of war, and great 
fears were entertained that, small as the settlement was, it 
too was in imminent danger of attack by the British men-of- 
war, which, if unobstructed, could now easily come up the 
river to such close proximity as to enable them to bombard 
the town, although it was guarded by the forts already 
erected, or in process of erection, on Prospect Hill, at Fox 
Point, and Field's Point ; by a breastwork for the protection 
of sharpshooters a little north of Bowen's Cove, and a re- 
doubt at Bullock's Point, both on the east side of the river. 

The "Fox Hill" (as styled by the town records), or the 
Fox Point, fort was ordered at a town-meeting which was 
convened July 13, 1775, over which the Hon. Nicholas Cooke 
presided as Moderator, and at this meeting intrenchments 
and breast works were ordered to "be hove up between 
Field's and Sassafras Points of sufficient capacity to cover a 
body of men ordered there on any emergency." Captain 
Nicholas Power was directed to superintend their construc- 
tion and draw upon the town treasury to defray the expense ; 
but if there was not sufficient funds in the hands of the town 

24 



[ 186 ] 

he was to be paid interest on any amount he might advance 
until he was paid. He was also ordered to advise and con- 
sult witii Captain Esek Hopkins, Ambi'ose Page, Captain 
John Updike, Samuel Nightingale, Jr., Captain William 
Earle, and Captain Simon Smith, who were appointed a com- 
mittee on the manner of building these fortifications, and by 
order of the town the armament was to consist of " a battery 
of six 18-pounders, four to be mounted as field pieces." 
Blaskowitz, in his topographical chart of the Narragansett 
Bay, 1727, rates the forts at 00 guns, 18- and 24-pounders. 

The bill of Nicholas Power against the town, amounting to 
£64, 16s. 5^d., was found in the archives of the town when 
they removed from the City Building in Market Square to 
the City Hall. 

This fort was commanded by Captain Esek Hopkins, with 
Captain Samuel Warren as Lieutenant, Captain Christopher 
Sheldon as gunner, and seven men to each gun, who were al- 
lowed to select from their own number a captain and gunner. 
A watch of two persons for day and night was also provided. 

The location of the fort is indicated upon the " Map of the 
Town of Providence from Actual Surv&y," by Daniel An- 
thonj^ 1803, on territory undivided by streets, and bounded 
by Wickenden street on the north, Thompson street on the 
east, India street on the south, and Water street on the west, 
with the brook which gave the name to Brook street, and a 
broad piece of marsh, in its northwest corner. This brook 
emptied into the river in the neighborhood of Pike street ; 
but, as the whole topography of that part of the town has 
been radically clianged, it is hard to picture it to ourselves, 
although most here present remember the high hill south of 
Wickenden street, which was known as Corkey Hill (I pre- 
sume because of the large sprinkling of Irish inhabitants 
who occupied it), and also the precipitous bluff to India 
street, and can recall the beauty for situation of the home of 
Martin Page, near where the fort must have stood, which, 
before the opposite shores liad been injured by building the 
Bristol railroad, must have commanded a fine view of the 
harbor and its enclosing and beautiful shores. 



[ 187 ] 

The water battery, or breastwork, north of Bowen's Cove^ 
and the breastwork and entrenchment thrown up between 
Field's Point and Sassafras Point, were for the protection of 
musketeers and sharpshooters ; but the Fox Point battery, 
elevated on the hill, could command the entire passage be- 
tween Field's Point and Kettle Point. 

In October, scows filled with combustible materials were 
prepared, and a boom and chain stretched across the chan- 
nel, and about that time the colony came forward and took 
charge of the direction and completion of the several fortifi- 
cations, and began the erection, with the approval of General 
Spencer, of a fort on Prospect Hill, which commanded all the 
approaches to the town. This fort, three hundred feet by 
one hundred and fifty feet within the parapet, was sur- 
rounded by a ditch and was capable of mounting fiftj^-eight 
guns, was planned by Major James Sumner,* at that time the 
Chief Engineer of Rhode Island Department, and was erected 
under his direction. From what is said of its site and the 
location of the beacon, its major axis must have extended in 
a northwest and southeast direction, from near the corner of 
Meeting and Prospect streets towards Bowen street, but I 
cannot exactly locate it, as one authoritj^ speaks of the 
beacon being in the centre of the fort, and that it was set 
up near the corner of Meeting and Prospect streets, and an- 
other that the fort covered a part of the site of the block 
owned by Mrs. Francis Colwell, on the corner of Bowen and 
Congden street ; but the distance between these two spots is 
too great to have been covered by the fort and its surround- 
ing ditch. 

The beacon alluded to above, which is depicted on the badge 
of this Society, had its origin pursuant to the recommenda- 
tion of Congress, and in accordance therewith it was voted 
at a town-meeting held on July 3, 1775, that the town take 
steps regarding its erection, to alarm the counti-y in case of 
the approach of the enemy. At a meeting held a week later, 

* He also had charge of the erection of the First Baptist Church, which was copied 
largely from the published plans of the church of St. Martins in Fields, London. James 
Gibbs, architect. 



[ 188 ] 

a committee, consisting of Joseph Brown, Joseph Bucklin, 
and Benjamin Thurber, was appointed to erect a beacon on 
Prospect Hill, a spot where, in 1067, one had been erected 
during the Indian war. This structure was very simple in 
its design, consisting of a wooden shaft, or mast, purchased of 
Joseph Brown, about eightj^-five feet in height, securel}^ braced 
at the foundation. Wooden pegs or steps at regular intervals 
projected from either side, to enable a person to climb to the 
top. From the end of this shaft an iron crane was extended, 
from which hung an iron basket which was filled with in- 
flammable material, and, by order of the town, a house was 
built at its base in which to store the combustibles, so as to 
be read}^ at a moment's notice. 

The Providence Gazette, July 29, 1775, informed the colo- 
nists that a "beacon is now erecting on a very high hill in 
the town b}'^ the order of the Honorable General Assembly. 
A watch is likewise kept on Tower Hill in case of any attempt 
by water from our savage enemies." Upon the completion 
of the beacon, the committee under whose direction it had 
been built were ordered "to fire the same on Thursday, the 
17th day of August, at the setting of the sun, and that they 
procure one thousand hand-bills to be printed, to advertise 
the country thereof, that proper observations may be made of 
the bearing of the beacon from different parts of the countrj^ 
and that they notif}' the country that the beacon will not be 
fired at any time after August 17th, unless the town or some 
part of the colony should be attacked by an enemy, in which 
case the beacon will be fired and three cannon discharged to 
alarm the country that they may immediately repair to the 
town, duly equipped with arms and accoutrements." It is 
probable that these hand-bills contained the same information 
as the following notice, which appeared in the Gazette on 
August 12th: 

"Providence Beacon. 

The town of Providence to the inhabitants of the towns 
adjacent: 
Loving friends and brethren in consequence of the rec- 



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■n 




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t. 


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3 :3 




[ 189 ] 

ommendation of tlie Continental Congress that those seaport 
towns whicli are principally exposed to the ravages and 
depredations of onr common enemies should be fortified and 
put in as good a state of defence as may be, which has also 
received the appi-obation of the legislature of the colony: 
besides a strong battery and intrenchment on the river, there 
has been lately erected on the greatest eminence in the town 
A Beacon for the purpose of alarming the country wlienever 
it shall become necessary in our defence, and as we doubt 
not of the readiness of our friends and brethren, both within 
and without the government, to give us every assistance in 
their power on such an occasion if timely apprized thereof. 
This is therefore to inform you that it is our urgent request 
that you all hold yourself in readiness, and whenever you 
see said beacon on tire you immediately and without delay, 
with the best accoutrements, warlike weapons and stores you 
have by you, repair to the town of Providence, there to re- 
ceive from the military officers present such orders as may 
be given by the authority of this jurisdiction for our common 
safety and defence. In case of an alarm we intend to fire 
the beacon and also discharge cannon to notify all to look 
out for the beacon. Be it observed and carefully remembered 
that the discharge of the cannon alone is not an alarm, but 
the firing of the beacon of itself, even without cannon, will 
be an alarm in all cases, excepting on Thursday, the 17th 
inst., at sunset, when the beacon will be fired not as an alarm, 
but that all may ascertain its bearings and fix such ranges as 
may secure them from a false alarm, and that they may know 
where to look for it hereafter. When you hear the cannon 
look out for the beacon." 

This trial proved a perfect success. A letter received by 
John Carter, the publisher of the Gazette, stales that it was 
observed over an area of country extending from Cambridge 
Hill to New London and Norwich, and from Newport to Pom- 
fret. It is stated that many of the inhabitants of tiie neighbor- 
ing countrj^ not properly uotified of this trial, hurriedly left 
their homes and promptly repaired to Providence to report 
for duty, imagining that the town was about to be invaded 
by the enemy. The beacon, pi'obably, was never fired after 
the trial of August 17th, unless, perhaps, at the proclamation 
of peace, it was used to spread the glad tidings throughout 
the neighboring country. 



[ 190 ] 

A committee was appointed October 26, 1775 consisting of 
Messrs. Joseph Brown, Amos Atwell, Captain Barnard Eddy, 
Jabez Bowen, John Updilce, Captain Sinjon Smith, Captain 
John Brown, Captain Josepli Biiclclin, and Captain Ebenezer 
Thompson, who were authorized "to direct where and in 
what manner fortifications shall be made upon the hill to 
the southward of the house of William Field," a house still 
standing- and located near Old Maids Cove, so-called. This 
committee evidently performed the duty required of them 
promptly and faithfully, for on the same day it was " Voted, 
that the part of the town below the Gaol lane (now Meeting 
street) on the east side of the river, be required by warrant 
from the Town Clerk, as usual by the beat of the drum, to 
repair to-morrow morning (October 27) at eiglit o'clock, to 
Field's Point, to make proper fortifications there, to provide 
themselves with tools and provisions for tlie day, that the in- 
habitants capable of bearing arms, who dwell on the west 
side of the river, be required in the same manner to repair 
thither, for the same purjiose, on Saturday next, and that 
the inhabitants of that pai t of the town to the northward of 
the Gaol lane, be required in the same manner to repair 
thither, for the same purpose, on Monday next." In response 
to this order, Fort Independence was built on the top of the 
high hill at Field's Point, commanding most perfectly the 
harbor and its approach, and is a conspicuous object from 
both land and water. Captain Barnard Eddy superintended 
its construction. 

Having hastily called attention to the site of the beacon, 
the water batteries, and the three fortifications erected upon 
the heights of Providence, it seems fitting that some steps 
should be taken to mark these several sj^ots in some suitable 
manner. 

Is it impracticable to have a mast erected at the corner of 
Prospect and Meeting streets, which is about 195 feet above 
mean high water, of the same height as the original beacon, 
eighty-five feet, with an iron crane and basket, to be lighted 
every night by a gi-and electric light, which could be seen 
from afar, and which would enable the city to dispense with 



[ 1^1 ] 

enough lights in the vicinitj- so that the cost of maintenance, 
including lights -necessarily retained, should not exceed the 
present cost of lighting that section of the city ? 

No more appropriate method of preserving Fort Independ- 
ence at Field's Point could be devised than to restore the 
embankments, and, if possible, obtain some old cannon with 
which to equip the fort, and erect a proper monument, so in- 
scribed as to tell its origin and history. 

The manner of marking the sites of the Fox Hill and 
Bo wen's Cove batteries I am not prepared to suggest; but, in 
some way, a monument should be placed that would tell the 
tale to coming generations. 

There are other sites which should be preserved, and is it 
not possible for this Society to take some steps to secure the 
site of the French encampment, and revise and realize the 
abandoned intention of tlie late Mr. Henry T. Beckwith ? I 
understand that the tract, which has not been materially dis- 
turbed, can be j)urchased at a moderate cost, and the name 
of Rochambeau might fittingly be preserved by giving his 
name to the park, which bj^ this purchase could be created. 
Should this be done, I should hope that the name of North 
street would be restored, which has a significance and charm 
which can never attach to Rochambeau avenue. A tablet 
also should be put on the house, which belongs to the Butler 
Hospital for the Insane, to show that it was occuj)ied as head- 
quarters by French officers. 

And what society could better undertake (in co-operation 
with the Rhode Island Historical Society), than this Society 
of ours, to bring about a reform in the matter of the nomen- 
clature of our streets, and thus preserve Revolutionarj^ and 
pre-Revolutionary titles? What has been gained by chang- 
ing High street to Westminster street, Greenwich road to 
Elmwood avenue, Pawtuxet road to Broad street, Hartford 
road to Hartford street, Cranston road to Cranston street? 
A city that has streets so happily named as Providence 
should try to preserve its distinction. Need I name those 
that are pleasant to dwell upon ? I will give but a few : 
Benefit, Benevolent, Chai-les Field, Young Orchard, Hope, 



[ 102 ] 

Transit, Fountain, India ; and tliose with the names of his- 
toric individuals : Cooke, Angell, Power, Sheldon, Wil- 
liams, Church, Halsej^ These are enough to illustrate mj^ 
meaning, and as I repeat them they bring to your mind, un- 
consciously, a flavor and reminder of the past, and possess a 
significance that does not attach to Grand avenue, Oriole 
avenue, Elmwood avenue, Alger avenue. Margrave avenue. 
Homestead avenue, Fallon avenue, Ann avenue, and many 
others, more to the square mile, I venture to say, than any 
other city in the countr3\ 

An address is delivered bj- Amasa Mason Eaton, Esq., Past 
President : 

"Which is the Oldest American Constitution?" 

Mr. President and Compatriots : 

An interesting lecture was given, about two weeks ago, in 
this cit5% on Thomas Hooker, the founder of Connecticut, by 
the Rev. Mr. Twichell, that many of j'ou doubtless heai-d. In 
this lecture the claim was made that to Connecticut belongs 
the honor and the glory of the first written democratic Con- 
stitution in the world. The claim is not a new one. In the 
valuable series entitled "American Commonwealths" there 
is a volume on Connecticut and its history, written by the 
lamented scholar, Alexander Johnston. On page 03 he says : 
"The first Constitution of Connecticut — the fii-st written 
constitution, in the modern sense of the term, as a perman- 
ent limitation on governmental power, known in history, and 
certainly the first American constitution of government to 
embody the democratic idea — was adopted by a general 
assembly or popular convention of the planters of the three 
towns, held at Hartford, January 14, 1638-9." Other writers 
have maintained the same ground, ignoring or denying what 
seem to be the superior claims of our Providence Plantations 
to the honor in question. For, on the 20th of August, 1637, 
the handful of planters here signed that precious document 
now preserved at our City Hall. It is as follows : '' We 



[ 193 ] 

whose names are hereunder, desirous to inhabit in the town 
of Providence, do promise to subject ourselves in active or 
passive obedience to all such orders or agreements as shall 
be made for public good of the body in an orderly way, by 
the major assent of the present inhabitants, masters of fam- 
ilies, incorporated together into a town fellowship, and such 
others whom they sliall admit uulo them, onlj^ in civil things." 
Of course the prioritj^ in date of this compact, compared with 
the date of the Connecticut compact, cannot be disputed. 
And it would certainly seem that, tried by everj^ test above 
suggested by Johnston, our compact was a true constitution. 
It was a permanent limitation on governmental power. It 
certainly embodies the democratic idea, for the agreement 
was they were to subject themselves to all orders made for 
the public good in an orderlj' way by the major assent of the 
inhabitants, masters of families. It specifically provides in- 
corporation together into a town-fellowship. It is a written 
embodiment of the purest and simplest form of democracy 
by a group of j)lanters, who, until that time, without any 
written form were self-governed, under the only absolute 
democracy to be found anywhere on this continent or else- 
where. Of course it cannot be denied that the Connecticut 
constitution was more ample, and provided for a division 
into the different branches of government, as to which our 
constitution was silent. But that very silence only goes to 
show that ours was the more complete and absolute demo- 
cracy. 

I come, therefore, to the conclusion that to Providence 
Plantations and not to Connecticut is due the honor and 
glory of having framed and adopted the first written con- 
stitution. And we must see to it that we assert our claim, 
lest it be deemed by our silence that the contrary claim, so 
constantlj' made by those who outnumber us, is correct. 

Hon. Thomas W. Bicknell, a member of the Massachusetts 
Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, is intro- 
duced, and delivers a poetic tribute to " Washington." 

President Field, who was apj)ointed on August 8, 1894, by 

S5 



[ 194] 

the Board of Managers, a committee " to inquire into the loca- 
tion and condition of the grave of patriot Jolin AVaterman, 
who is buried at Valley Forge," presents the following 
i-eport : 

Report Relative to the Identity of John Waterman, 
Who Died at Valley Forge. 

To the Board of Managers of the Rhode Island Society of the 
Sons of the American Revolution. 

Gentlemen : At a meeting of this Board held on August 
8th, last, I was appointed a committee to investigate the sub- 
ject of the so-called John Waterman grave, at Valley Forge, 
and to report the result of my inquiry at a subsequent meet- 
ing of the Board. In accordance therewith I have carefully 
considered the subject, and beg leave to submit the following 
report : 

Among the officers of the Rhode Island Continental line in 
the Revolutionary War was John Waterman, a commissary of 
issues in General Varnum's Brigade. This John Waterman 
(for there were two, if not three, of the same name) fii'st ap- 
pears in connection with the military records of the Revolu- 
tion, in 1777, when he was a Quartermaster in Colonel Israel 
Angell's Rhode Island Regiment, and continues to be con- 
nected with the Rhode Island regiments included in this 
Brigade up to a certain date in the year 1778. 

It is not necessary to follow his connection with the Con- 
tinental army ; it is certain, howevei-, that when the army, 
under the command of Washington, went into winter quar- 
ters at Valley Forge, he was with his regiment in Varnum's 
Bi'igade. 

On the 24th of April, 1778, a letter was sent to Tlieodoro 
Foster, Es(i., of Providence, by William Allen, who was a 
(-aptain in Colonel Israel Angell's Regiment, which, from its 
direct relation to the matter under consideration, is of con- 
siderable Importance. It was as follows : 



[ 195 ] 

" Camp Valley Forge, 24 April, 1778. 

Dear Sir : Captain Tew and myself arrived safe to port 
on the 22d inst, found the encampment in perfect tranquility, 
and the enemy peaceable in their quarters. 

I am sorry to inform you that yesterday died of a short 
illness, that worthy gentleman, John Waterman, Esq., Com- 
missary to our brigade. 

Please delivered the endorsed to Sally (torn) accept the 
sincere regards for yourself and lady, from your 

most affectionate and most obedient humble servant, 

Wm. Allen." 
"To Theodore Foster, Esq.: 

N. B. — Have returned your bill to Capt. Olney, as it would 
not pass in Penns3dvania." 

A death was no unusual occurrence at this time, for hun- 
dreds of soldiers were sick and dying from the effects of the 
privations to which they were subjected. But in the death 
of Waterman his companions seem to have felt his loss, for 
the nature of the reference to him implies that he was 
esteemed by his fellow officers. This letter fixes the date of 
his death, and tradition tells us that he was buried within 
the cantonment. 

At the session of the General Assembly of Rhode Island, 
in December, 1778, Thomas Watei'man, son of Commissary 
Waterman, presented a j)etition relative to his father's affairs, 
whereof the following is a copy : 

" Whereas Thomas Waterman, a Second Lieutenant in the 
Continental battalion raised by this State, under the com- 
mand of Colonel Israel Angell, preferred a petition and 
represented unto this Assembly, that John Waterman, his 
father, was quartermaster of the said regiment, and his 
family was supplied with articles at the stated price, to the 
amount of one-quarter of his wages, to the 14th day of 
December, 1777, when he was appointed an assistant com- 
missarj^ of issues to General Varn urn's Brigade ; from which 
time he never drew anything for the support of his family at 
the stated price, until the time of his death, which happened 
on the 24th day of April, 1778, he being then in the service 
of his country. 



[ 196 ] 

That during that period the family was greatly distressed ; 
his said father's wages not being, by any means adequate to 
their support. 

That he being the only son of his father, the care of the 
family is now devolved upon him ; and that his wages as 
Second Lieutenant, so far from enabling him to contribute 
to their relief, is insufficient to support him according 
to his rank ; and, thereupon, the said Tliomas Waterman 
prayed this Assembly to direct that his father's family be 
supplied with the necessaries of life at the stated prices, to 
the amount of one-quarter part of his said father's wages, 
from the said 14th day of December, 1777, to the said 24th 
day of April, 1778 ; and from that time, to the amount of one- 
quarter part of his, the said petitioner's, wages, at the same 
rates ; on consideration whereof — 

It is voted and resolved, that the i^rayer of the said Thos. 
Waterman in his aforesaid petition contained, be, and the 
same is hereb}' granted." 

When the army went into winter quarters at Valley Forge, 
the brigade, commanded b}^ General James M. Varnum, of 
Rhode Island, took up its location some fifteen hundred feet 
to the eastward of the star redoubt, so-called, a large fortifi- 
cation, and the General's headquarters were just west of this 
redoubt, at David Stevens' house, which is still standing. 
Nearly a mile to the southeast of brigade headquarters was 
a field which subsequently was used for the interment of 
those who died dui-ing the winter and who belonged to this 
brigade. For years visitors to this historic locality have 
noticed in this field, which has, from time to time, been 
under cultivation, a red sandstone on which was rudelj^ carved 
"J W 1778," and which evidently marked the grave of some 
soldier who gave up his life during the memorable winter 
that the army was there encamped. 

It seems that succeeding generations have regarded this 
as a hallowed spot, and have carefully avoided disturbing 
the stone that marked it, although the surrounding earth has 
been turned over year after year by the plough. More than 
ten years ago the subject of this grave was brought to the 
attention of Dr. J. V. P. Turner, of Philadelphia, who entered 
upon a careful inquir}- to discover, if i30ssible, the signifi- 



[ 197] 

cance of the letters " J W," and thus determine who was 
thei'e buried. He caused a query to be inserted in the 
Pennsylvania Historical Magazine, and subsequently secured 
the information in the letter which has heretofore been given. 
In the meanwhile, the territory, or at least a portion of it, 
whei'e the arni}^ encamped, after long years of agitation, was 
secured by the State of Pennsylvania for a public park and 
a commission appointed to take the care and custody of it. 
Numbered among these commissioners are Professor Daniel 
W. Howard, of West Chester, Pennsylvania, and I. Hestor 
Todd, of Port Kennedy, Pennsylvania, the latter gentleman 
being the owner of the land on which this grave is located. 
Professor Howard, who is connected with one of the educa- 
tional institutions at Chester, has devoted much time and 
careful study towards ascertaining the identity of the grave, 
and from his investigations he has come to the conclusion 
that it is the grave of John Waterman, heretofore referred 
to. He has taken great pains to have the matter brought to 
the attention of the different historical and kindred organi- 
zations in Pennsylvania and Rhode Island, with the hope that 
sufficient interest might be aroused to have the grave suitably 
marked and cared for. 

In this work Mr. Todd has also been greatly interested, and 
has expressed the intent of giving a title to the spot on which 
the grave is located to such an organization as will preserve 
and care for it. 

My investigation of the matter has been directed mainly 
to determine who this John Waterman was, his ancestry, 
and, generally, to secure any facts which might confirm the 
opinion advanced by Professor Howard. With this end in 
view I prepared a short account of the subject, which was 
published, together with certain illustrations, in the Provi- 
dence Sunday Journal. 

The object in this was two-fold : First, for the purpose of 
giving the information of so interesting an historical matter 
to the public ; and, second, for the purpose of calling the 
attention of descendants or collateral relatives of John 
Waterman to it, and interesting them in the matter, and 



[ 198 ] 

thus secure additional infoi-niation relative to John Water- 
man and his family. As to the first i-eason, the article pro- 
duced no more nor no less interest than other newspaper 
articles do, but in other respects it has produced particularly 
interesting results. 

Soon after the publication of this article I received a letter 
from William H. Waterman, Esq., of New Bedford, Mass., the 
genealogist of the Waterman family, in which he gave the 
descent of a John Waterman from the original ancestor of 
the Rhode Island Watermans, whom he believed to be the 
soldier who died at Yallej^ Forge. While a corresi:)ondence 
was pi-oceeding with Mr. Waterman and myself relative to 
the matter, I received a visit from Mrs. Harriet Sprague, of 
this city, whose attention had been called to the article, and 
whose husband, Byron Sprague, was a descendant of Richard 
Waterman, the first of the name in Rhode I.sland. IMrs, 
Sprague had in mind still another John Waterman, whom 
she believed to be the John Waterman who died at Valley 
Forge. 

I then communicated with Mr. Waterman at New Bedford, 
giving him the information which had been given me bj^ 
Mrs. Sprague, and received from him an account of the John 
Waterman, her husband's ancestor, which showed conclu- 
sively that the soldier at Valley Forge could not have been 
the one she had referred to. This John Waterman was a 
descendant in the fourth generation from Richard Water- 
man, the first of the name in Rhode Island, in the following 
line : 

Richard Waterman married Bethia — their son, Resolved 
Waterman, married Mercy Williams; their son, John Water- 
man, married Anne Olnej' ; their son, John Waterman, mar- 
ried for his second wife Marcy Stafford. On the Waterman 
farm, near Crompton, R. I., is the graveyard of this branch of 
the Waterman family, and among the graves there located is 
that of " Marcy Stafford wife of C'apt John Waterman who 
died Feby 28 1811 aged 96 years 11 months." Beside this 
grave is a vacant space which has produced the impression 
that it might have been left for the body of her husband to 



[ 199 ] 

be buried beside her, and thei'e is a tradition in the family 
that Captain John Waterman went away and never came 
back, all of which, in the absence of other evidence, would 
go far to prove that this was the Captain Waterman who 
died at Valley Forge, and was there buried ; but Mr. Water- 
man's records disprove this and show conclusively to the 
contrary, for he states that this particular Captain John 
Waterman was drowned in Still river, Coventry, R. I., in 
1751, being thrown from his horse while fording the river, 
and this is confirmed by other branches of the family. 

It also appears, strangely enough, that this same John 
Waterman had a son Thomas who removed to Cheshire, 
Mass. 

The other John Waterman was a descendant, in the fifth 
generation, from the same Richard Waterman in the follow- 
ing line : 

Richard Watei-man, the ancestor of the Waterman family 
in Rhode Island, married Bethia — one of their children was 
Resolved Waterman, who married Mercy Williams, daughter 
of Roger Williams, and died August, 1070; their son, Rich- 
ard Waterman, born Januai'y, 1660, married his cousin, Anne 
Waterman, and died September 28, 1748 ; their son, Richard 
Waterman, Jr., married November 14, 1725, Marcy Corpe ; 
their son, John Waterman, married October 3, 1751, Martha 
Dj'er, of Long Island ; their onlj^ son was Thomas Waterman. 

There are a number of descendants of the daughters of this 
John Waterman in the west, but I have not been able to 
ascertain where they are located, nor even their name. 
From the information which I have received, and from the 
investigations which Mr. William H. Waterman has made 
and the conclusions which he arrived at man}" years ago, 
when this matter was brought to his attention, I am strongl}^ 
of the opinion that this John Waterman, the son of Richard 
Waterman and Marcy Corpe, is tlie John Waterman, Com- 
missary-General of Issues of Yarnum's Brigade, who died at 
Valley Forge, and whose grave is marked by the red sand- 
stone heretofore referred to. 

I am convinced that no evidence positively proving this fact 



[ 200 ] 

can be obtained ; yet I think that enough collateral evidence 
surrounds the matter to warrant this conclusion. While the 
resolution directing me to make this examination does not 
require me to make suggestions or recommendations, I beg 
leave, however, to do so. Rhode Island has done little to 
honor the memory' of the patriots of '70. In fact it has done 
less to honor its own brave sons than other States have. It 
is one of the particular duties of this Society to see that his- 
toric spots are marked, and in no better way can the memory 
of those who served and died at Valley Forge be perpetuated 
than by a substantial monument on that historic ground. 

I would, therefore, respectfully recommend that communi- 
cations be sent from this Society to the proper officers of 
the Chapters of the Daughters of the American Revolu- 
tion, suggesting that a committee be appointed to comprise, 
with a committee of like number from this Society, a joint 
committee on the Captain John Waterman Memorial, said 
committee to be empowered to represent each of said Socie- 
ties before the Legislature of this State in j)resenting a 
petition, asking for an appropriation for the purpose of 
causing a suitable monument to be erected on the site of 
the grave of Captain John Waterman, and which shall con- 
template the preservation of the grave now remaining, in 
memory of the Rhode Island soldiers who died at Valley 
Forge. Accompanying this report are two maps of the camj) 
grounds at Valley Forge, in 1778 and 1892, marked Exhibits 

A. and B.' 

Respectfully submitted, 

Edward Field, 

Committee. 

The report being read, it was 

Voted, That the report of Compatriot Field relative to the 
gi'ave of Captain John Waterman, at Valley Forge, and the 
recommendation therein be, and the same is, hereby accept- 
ed; and that (ieoi-ge E. Barstow, Fredei'ick W. Easton, and 
John Edward Studley be, and they are hereby, appointed a 
committee on the part of this Society relative to the same. 

1 These maps are omitted in this volume. 




GEN. HORACE PORTER, 

Past President-Genkp.al of the National Society of the 
Sons of the American Revolution. 



RECEPTION AND BANQUET 



IN HONOR OP 



GENERAL HORACE PORTER, 

President-General of the National Society op the 

Sons of the American Revolution, at the Nar- 

ragansett hotel, providence, saturday 

Evening, November 30, 1895. 



I^HE visit of President-General Porter to Providence, 
as the guest of the Societj^ was an occasion which 
will ever be remembered as one of the pleasantest 
in its history. 
When it was decided that the President-General would 
honor the Society by his presence, a committee, consisting of 
Compatriots Robert P. Brown, Joseph Balch, and Joseph C. 
W. Cole, was appointed by President Field to make the 
arrangements for his reception and entertainment while a 
guest of the Society, and for the success of the affair this 
committee is entitled to great credit. 

President Field met General Porter at Wickford Junction 
early in the afternoon, and accompanied him to the city, 
where they were met by Past President Wilfred H. Munro, 
who escorted the distinguished guest to the Narragansett 
Hotel, where accommodations had been provided for his com- 
fort until the reception and banquet in the evening. 

At half -past seven the reception was held in the parlor 
of the hotel, the President-General and Governor Charles 
Warren Lippitt, Adjutant-General Frederick M. Sackett, 
and Colonel John C. Wyman, also guests of the Society, 
being received by the Reception Committee, consisting of 
Edward Field, President and Chairman ; Past Presidents 

26 



[ 202 ] 

Alfred Stone, John Carter Brown Woods, Amasa M. Eaton, 
Wilfred H. Munro ; Vice-President William Maxwell Greene; 
Secretary Christopher Rhodes ; Treasurer Olney Arnold, II ; 
Registrar Robert P. Brown ; Chaplain Rev. Edward O. Bart- 
lett ; Poet Rev. Erederic Denison ; and Compatriots Dexter 
B. Potter and General Olney Arnold. Daring the reception, 
and also while the banquet was in progress, Reeves' Orches- 
tra rendered a select programme. 

Shortly after eight o'clock the company proceeded to the 
dining-hall. In the absence of the Chaplain, prayer was 
offered by Prof. Nathaniel F. Davis, of Brown University, 
after which, as is the custom of the Society on all such occa- 
sions, a toast was drunk to " the memory of the patriots of 
the American Revolution," the entire assemblage remaining 
standing. The party then sat down to the following menu: 

Sherry and Bitters 

Blue Points 

Mock Turtle — aux vin Madeira 

Coquille 

ou shell aux gratin 

Escallop of Chicken Halibut 

White Sauce 

Potatoes Princess 

Filet of Beef larded 

Mushroom Sauce 
Stuffed Peppers Parisieune Potatoes 

Roman Punch Cigarettes 

Roast Quail, Bardee on Toast 

Celery Currant Jelly 

Frozen Pudding Whipped Cream 

Assorted Cakes 

Fruit 

Coffee 
Roquefort Cheese Water Crackers 

ApoUinaris 



[ 203 ] 

At the conclusion of the banquet President Edward Field 
rapped to order, and introduced the post-prandial exercises. 

Address of President Field. 

Compatriots and Guests of the Society : 

For nearly six years this Society has pursued its work, with 
a measurable degree of success. 

We have fittingly observed the anniversaries of important 
events in the Revolution. 

We have assisted in placing a bronze tablet upon the old 
Market House, to mark the spot where the men and women of 
Providence showed their resistance to tj'ranny and oppression 
by burning British taxed tea. 

We have appropriately marked more than a hundred 
graves of Revolutionary soldiers scattered here and there 
throughout our little State. 

To this Society is due the credit of initiating the movement 
which has resulted in securing from the Legislature an ap- 
propriation for the purpose of erecting a monument to the 
memory of Lieutenant John Waterman, a Rhode Island offi- 
cer, whose lonely grav^e is within the historic grounds at 
Valley Forge. 

We have done even more ; for the services of more than 300 
Revolutionary soldiers, which but a few years ago were inac- 
cessible, are now permanently recorded. 

While we have been thus engaged, the same noble work has 
been going on in nearly every one of the States in this great 
republic. Some have done more than we have, some have 
done less ; but all are united with the common object of per- 
petuating the spirit and memory of the deeds of the patriots 
who achieved American independence and secured to us the 
blessings of liberty. 

Bound together for such high purposes, these Societies can- 
not but exert a powerful influence throughout the land in 
stimulating a higher patriotism and a greater love of country. 

The Rhode Island Society, in its brief life, has had many 



[ '^Oi ] 

notable gatherings, bnt the occasion which brings us together 
this evening is the happiest in tlie life of our Society. 

To have with us the President-General of this great national 
organization gives us a l<eener idea of our importance. 

Mr. President-General, the jjleasure it gives us to welcome 
you to our Society is difficult to express in words. 

We have here in Rhode Island a hoinel}^ expression, handed 
down to us from tlie very earliest moments of our settlement. 
It is the salutation what cheer? and when a Rliode Islander 
says that, it is a welcome from the heart, and, therefore, Mr. 
President-General, I greet you with " What Cheer ! " 

I will give as the fii-st toast "Tlie State of Rhode Island, 
the birthplace of Libert}^" and take pleasure in presenting 
His Excellency Charles Warren Lippitt, Governor of the 
State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. 

Governor Lippitt spoke eloquently of the part Rhode 
Island sustained in the struggle for American Independ- 
ence, and paid a handsome tribute to the valiant services 
of the guest of the Society during the War of the Rebellion. 

The next toast proposed was the " National Society of the 
Sons of the American Revolution," to which was invited to 
respond the honorary guest of the evening. General Porter 
introduced his brief address with a few felicitous remarks, 
and spoke, in substance, as follows: 

Address of President-General Porter. 

To S'dy that I am jjleased to be here is but a mild and 
feeble expression. I am positively assassinated with delight. 
There seems to be a feeling prevalent among you Rhode 
Islanders that any one living outside this State is simply 
camping out, and I am come to be in accord with that feel- 
ing. They seem to feel tliat life without a visit to these 
plantations is a failure and dismal regret, and I realize that 
fact also. Your forefatliers appear to have looked upon the 
State much as schoolboys looked upon a composition— the 
more capitals it had the better it would be. Be that as it 



[ 205 ] 

may, it is a pleasure to rae to travel about among the socie- 
ties of our organization, and be here to-night. The objects 
of our society are worthy of all the efforts bestowed upon it. 
To perpetuate the name and fame of men who deserve to be 
immortalized is certainly a worthj^ cause, and it is a wise act 
to come together in these lasting unions. 

There is something of the true sympathy of comrades in 
the touch of elbows. It cultivates that friendship which 
divides sorrows and doubles joys. This society is young in 
years, but it is old in effective work. If it had done nothing- 
else, it is worthy of credit in causing the publishing by Con- 
gress of the records of the Revolutionarj^ period, which are 
fast being lost and defaced. It has issued much patriotic 
literature of high character, and rescued from oblivion hun- 
dreds of graves of Revolutionary soldiers. It has erected 
monuments, memorials, and statues on the battle grounds of 
the Revolution. The society has besides celebrated the anni- 
versary of all the great events of that struggle and furnished 
to many schools a faithful likeness of our great Exemplar, 
the immortal Washington. In most States it has seen that 
the American flag is hoisted on every school, to say that that 
institution is national and not sectarian. That banner never 
has, and, if w^e are as true as our forefathers, never will be, 
dethroned from its supremacy. Tyranny we can have 
anywhere, but if you want civil and religious liberty you 
must go forth and fight for it. In this way patriotism is 
taught. 

Patriots are not like poets — they are made, not born. 
Bolingbroke says that patriotism is a lesson of reason. We 
need no excuse for celebi-ating these events. He who does 
not honor his ancestors is never likely to accomplish any- 
thing for which his descendants will honor him. 

That old Revolutionary ancestor is worthy of the honor of 
every one. He was inured to hardship. He had early learned 
that there was more sagacity in Amei-ican workshops than in 
the cabinets of European princes. He was a great character in 
history. The expression of his face was like an east wind, but 
there was a mild southern exposure to his mind. The old Revo- 



[ 20G ] 

lutionist was a severe and austere man. If dogs did not greet 
him with a pleasant wag of the tail they took precious good 
care not to bite him. He had early learned the meaning of 
the true liberty that could turn that which was not under- 
stood into implicit obedience. That sire had an abiding 
courage. As the Danes destroyed the hearing of their war 
steeds that they might not turn back, so he turned a deaf 
ear to despondency and fear because he knew the difference 
between the agitation of a people and the reform of a govern- 
ment. When he could not control, he endured ; and was 
always content to leave the efforts to man, the result to God. 
He might have been a zealot, but he was never a hj'pocrite. 
He led forlorn hopes, and was not in the wake of charges. 
He could convince but not advise. In battle he always had 
the requisite courage, fighting on and on with his conscience 
as the only hope of reward, as true to his convictions as the 
rocks of his native land. When he went down he left nothing 
before him except the fragments that he had scattered in his 
way. His religion was one of the heart, not of the senses. 
He strove to deify humanity, not to make human the gods. 
He had the fervor of the Crusaders, the chivalry of knight- 
hood, and the courage of Navarre. We then, as soldiers, 
take off our hats and salute him, our true ideal. His name 
may not be recorded in the book of heralds, but it is set 
down in the book of life. 

The next toast proposed was the " Spirit of '7G," responded 
to by Colonel Wyman, who said that he did not need to say 
that he sincerely wished that he was at home, in bed and 
asleep, since there seemed to be nothing left for him to say 
after listening to the eloquent words of the President-Gen- 
eral. He said that he had rather a selfish interest in the 
Order, however, that he was almost old enough, he thought, 
to be a Revolutionarj^ pensioner, and he considered that the 
time would come when the loyal legion would be made up of 
those who would speak of the valor that he himself had 
shown in the late war. 

These meetings were good things in keeping alive those 



[ 207 ] 

sparks in the fires of liberty that would tell of the past of 
this country, and show why it should be the equal, if not the 
peer, of any nation in the world. 

At the conclusion of Colonel Wyman's address the exer- 
cises were brought to a close. After the banquet General 
Porter was entertained by several of the members of the 
Society at the Hope Club, and was the guest of Past Presi- 
dent Amasa M. Eaton, on Sunday, at his home in the suburbs 
of the city. 



SIXTH ANNUAL MEiyilNG. 

February 22, ]896. 



THE sixth animal meeting of the Rhode Island Society 
of the Sons of the American Revolution is held Feb- 
ruary 22, 1896, at the Cabinet of the Rhode Island 
Historical Society, on Waterman street, in Provi- 
dence, at 12 o'clock noon. 

President Edward Field presents his address, as follows: 

Compatriots of the Rhode Island Society of the Sons of the 
American Revolution : 

The laws of the Societ}^ make it the duty of the President 
to present an address in writing at the annual meeting. In 
accordance with this direction I shall review the work of the 
year which has closed, and make such recommendations as 
the experiences of the year suggest. 

Markers. 

The recommendation which I made in mj' report, as Regis- 
trar, two years ago, that the Society take steps to mark the 
graves of Revolutionary soldiers in Rhode Island, has been 
carried into effect during the past year, and more than one 
hundred of these graves have been marked with the iron 
marker adopted bj' the National Society. 

Of this number fifty markers were purchased bj' the So- 
ciety, and placed, in most cases, by the voluntary services of 
members or interested parties. The graves thus marked were 
selected \)\ lot, in accordance with a vote of the Board of 




EDWAIil) FIELD. 
President, 1895-1896. 



[ 209 ] 

Managers, this method insuring a wide distribution. This 
work has been done entirely under the direction of the com- 
mittee appointed for the purpose at the last annual meeting. 

A great amount of work has devolved upon Compatriot 
Balch, the Secretary' of this committee, and I take this oppor- 
tunity of expressing mj^ thanks to him for the promptness 
with which his work has been characterized, the great inter- 
est which he has manifested, and the systematic methods 
which he has inaugurated. The report of this committee, 
which will be presented for j'our consideration, will explain 
the details of the work accomplished. 

In addition to what the Societj^ has done towards marking 
the graves of Revolutionarj^ patriots, the Barrington Rural 
Improvement Societ}^, of that town, has performed a noble 
service. 

Through the efforts of Compatriot Bicknell a meeting of 
this Society was called at Barrington, in October last, to con- 
sider the subject of marking the graves of the Barrington 
men in the Revolution. 

No better account of these proceedings, and what followed, 
can be given than that furnished by the report made to me 
by Compatriot Bicknell, which is as follows : 

"Providence, January 20, 1896. 

In the autumn of 1894 my attention was called to a notice 
in the Providence Journal, signed by Rev. E. O. Bartlett, for 
a committee asking persons who knew the location of the 
graves of soldiers of the Revolution in any of our towns to 
report the same to him. 

Being then a member of the Massachusetts Society of the 
Sons of the American Revolution, and interested in all that 
relates to preserving the landmarks and memories of the 
Revolution, I sent to Mr Bartlett the names of nine soldiers 
of Barrington whose graves I could readily locate. 

At the last annual meeting of the Rhode Island Societj^ it 
was voted to place markers at a number of graves in several 
towns in the State. 

In the month of September, 1895, I received a letter, from 
the Secretarj' of our Society, that three markers had been 
assigned for Barrington for three soldiers' graves that had 
been chosen by lot from the nine I had reported. 



[ 210 ] 

During the year I had been collecting material for my 
forthcoming Tlistory of Harrington, and by means of it I 
found tliat more than one hundred men of Barrington ren- 
dered some considerable service of a military sort dnring 
the American Revolution, and of their graves I could locate 
more than fifty. With this knowledge in my possession, it 
occurred to me that if it should be communicated to the 
people of the town it would slimulate a desire and pui-pose 
on their part to place markers ;it the graves of all the jiatri- 
ots whose resting place could be identified. A public meet- 
ing was called under the auspices of the Rural Impi-ovement 
Association of Barrington, in October, at which addresses 
were made by President Field and myself, in which the 
purposes of our Society were set forth, and the patriotic 
history of the town briefly narrated. At this meeting Mr. 
Irving M. Smith, since deceased, presided, and urged the 
matter in earnest words; and, on motion of Mr. John L. 
Draper, the Society voted to assume the agency and responsi- 
bility of placing nmrkers at all graves that could be identified. 
By careful research, aided very materially and earnestly by 
Mr. Ebenezer Tiffany, Jr., I was able to learn and record the 
military service of more than one hundred citizens of 13ar- 
rington who gave from forty-five days to three years to their 
country. Of this large number fifty-six graves have been 
identified and marked with the Society's markers. 

In order to give dignity and impressiveness to the occasion 
of marking the.se graves, public exercises were held at the 
Town Hall and at Princes Hill Cemetery, Barrington, on 
Saturday, November 2, 1895. An historical address on 
"Barrington in the American Revolution" was given by the 
writer of this note. Governor Charles Wai'ren Lippitt gave 
an interesting and an eloquent uddre.ss on "The Part Our 
State Bore in the Great Struggle for National Life." E^dward 
Field, Esq., President of our Society, gave an account of the 
purpose and work of the compatriots in marking the graves 
of our heroes, and President Orren S. Anthony, of the Im- 
provement Association, in a most fitting address, emphasized 
the value of such proceedings to the community in awak- 
ing and fostering the pati-iotic spirit. The President and 
Secretary of the Bristol Branch of the Daughters of the Am- 
erican Revolution, who were present with a delegation of 
Daughters from Bristol, also made appropriate and apprecia- 
tive addresses. 

At the Princes Hill Cemetery Mr. Field, our President, 
placed the marker at the grave of Winchester Bicknell, one 
of the Revolutionary patriots, and vei-y touclung words were 



[ 211 ] 

spoken by Governor Lippitt. This ceremony closed the ex- 
ercises of marking the graves so far known in the town, and 
the day will be remembered as one of the most interesting in 
the history of Barrington. 

If it is sweet to die for one's countr}^ as the words " Dulce 
et decornm est pro patria mori" declare, it is our privilege to 
do a dutiful deed in keeping in life and in the memories of 
men the noble acts, the great sacrifices, and the undying 
faith of these ancestors of ours. Let us be grateful for the 
privilege and opportunity accorded us. 

Thomas W. Bicknell. 

Providence, R. I., January 20, 189G." 

Fifty-six of these markers were thus placed in the ancient 
burying grounds of Barrington. In connection with this 
work Compatriot Ebenezer Tiflfany, Jr., of that town, has 
prepared for the archives of our Society a complete record of 
the graves so marked ; besides giving the name of the patriot 
this list contains the place and date of birth and death, 
burial place, the name of the person furnishing the informa- 
tion, with the address of such person, the name of the person 
or society furnishing the marker, and the date it was placed. 
It is a painstaking record, of great value, and refliects the 
highest credit upon the zeal and industry of Compatriot 
Tiffany. 

Through the efforts of Arthur E. Warner, Esq., of East 
Providence, General A. E. Burnside Council, No. 5, Order of 
United American Mechanics, held a public meeting at River- 
side, on December 16, to inaugurate a similar movement in 
that section of the town of East Providence, and I was in- 
vited to take part in these exercises. 

It is proposed by this organization to mark the graves of 
the Revolutionary heroes who are buried in Little Neck Cem- 
etery, in that district. 

It will, therefore, be seen that much progress has been 
made by the Society in this branch of its work, and I trust 
that another year will see other towns and cities in the State 
engaged in a similar undertaking. 

At the annual dinner a year ago I jDresented a report rela- 
tive to the grave of Lieutenant John Waterman, a Rhode 



[ 212 ] 

Island officer, which is located at Valley Forge, and recom- 
mended therein that steps be taken to secure from the Gen- 
eral Assembly an appropriation for the purpose of providing 
a suitable monument at this spot. The recommendations 
then made have been carried into effect, and I am pleased to 
state that an appropriation has been made and a commission 
appointed to take charge of this work. Four members of our 
Societj^ are included in this commission — Compatriots Charles 
Warren Lippitt, D. Russell Brown, J. Edward Studlcy, and 
George E. Barstow. 

In November last I was invited to accompany the commis- 
sion on its visit to the historic camp ground at Valley Forge, 
when the preliminary arrangements were made to carrj^ into 
effect the object for which the commission was appointed. 
The State of Pennsylvania has acquired a large part of the 
territory where the American army was encamped during 
tliat terrible winter of 1778, for a public park, and it is pro- 
posed to have erected appropriate memorials at the historic 
points therein. 

By the action of this Society, Rhode Island will have the 
honor of being the first State to enter into this historic and 
patriotic work. 

I desire to express my thanks to His Excellency Governor 
Lippitt, and the members of this commission, for many cour- 
tesies tendered me on the occasion of my visit. 

During the year the Society has lost, by reason of death, 
two members, Nathaniel Mowry Bradley and Robert Gren- 
ville Brown. Compatriot Bradley had been a member of the 
Society but a week, having been admitted July 17, and his 
death occurring July 24, 1895. I have invited Compatriot 
Arthur P. Sumner, a personal friend of the deceased, to pre- 
pare a memorial for preservation in our archives. Robert 
Greuville Brown was a charter member of the Society, and 
during the year 1892-3 was Secretary and one of the Board 
of Managers. His death occurred on February 7. Past Presi- 
dent Woods has been invited to prepare a memorial of his 
life for tlie archives of the Society. 

I have also to announce the death, on September 28, 1895, 



[ 213 ] 

of Shearjashub T. Watson, an original member of the Society, 
but who, on account of technicalities in his application pa- 
pers, not affecting his eligibility, however, did not become 
enrolled in the present Society. Mr. Watson was a descend- 
ant of Captain Asa Waterman, an Assistant Commissary of 
issues for Connecticut and Rhode Island, a man of wealth, 
and of such unselfish patriotism that he contributed almost 
his entire fortune to purchase supplies for the Continental 
Army when the credit of the Colonies was at low ebb. 

Mention should also be made of the death of the Rev. 
Augustus Woodbury, one of the organizers of the Society. 
He continued in active membership only a short time, and 
formally resigned from the Society when he removed from 
the citj', a few years since. 

I attended the National Congress of the Society, held at 
Boston, April 29th last, and shared in the hospitality of the 
Massachusetts Society. This Congress was held in the his- 
toric old South Church, and was attended by delegates from 
nearly all of the State Societies. 

It was an enthusiastic gathering, and the Massachusetts 
Society left nothing to be desired in its arrangements for the 
comfort and enjoyment of those who attended. The most 
important measure considered at this congress was that re- 
lating to the formation of Chapters in the several States, and 
in connection with this subject I would state that the Board 
of Managers, pursuant to the recommendations made by 
President Munro a year ago, has taken the necessary steps to 
present for your consideration to-day an amendment to the 
by-laws of the Society, which, if adopted, will make it pos- 
sible to establish such Chapters in different parts of the State. 
I am confident that if this is permitted by our by-laws that a 
greater interest in the Society will be stimulated throughout 
the State, and that the Society will be largely increased in 
membership. 

On August 29th, the 117th anniversary of the battle of 
Rhode Island, the Society made a pilgrimage to the Butts 
Hill Fort, which formed a portion of the battle ground. 

Taking the boat at Providence the party proceeded to 



[ 214 ] 

Tiverton, where carriages were taken to this historic point, 
and, after a short stop, retnrned to the Stone Bridge Cottage 
for dinner. 

After dinner, Professor Munro, liistorian, delivered an ad- 
dress appropriate to the occasion, and Rev. Mr. Denison, poet, 
read a patriotic ballad. Before the meeting adjourned it was 
voted that the Society present to the General Assembly a 
memorial asking that this ancient earthwork be preserved 
and that the State acquire the land on which it is built. I 
believe that this project is one worthy of the serious consid- 
eration of the Society. The Butts Hill Fort is the only work 
now remaining in any substantial form that was part of the 
system of fortifications at the north end of the island. It was 
near there that most of the fighting took place, and where 
the greatest loss to both armies was sustained. This fort has 
the distinction of being occupied successively by the British, 
American, and French armies. It is in a remarkable state of 
preservation, and, with a small outlaj^ could be kept in such 
shai3e that it would mark for years yet to come one of the 
peculiarly important battles of the Revolution. 

On Saturday, November 30, the Society was honored by 
having as its guest General Horace Porter, President-General 
of the National Society', the occasion taking the form of a 
reception and banquet, at the Narragansett Hotel. His Ex- 
cellency Governor Lippitt, Adjutant-General Frederick M. 
Sackett, and Colonel John C. Wyman were also ]3resent, and 
assisted in welcoming the distinguished visitor to the State 
and to the Society. 

An experience of some years has led me to the belief that 
the Board of Managers of the Society should be increased in 
numbers. As this Board is at present constituted it consists 
of the officers of the Society and the delegates to the National 
Congress, the general membership of the Society having no 
representation or voice wdiatever in the management or policy 
of the Society, save as they express it in the choice of general 
officers at each annual election. 

The Society is a State Society, and I believe that it should 
be representative of the State ; and to this end I would 



[ 215 ] 

recoininend that each town in the State, or at least each 
county, represented in the Society, be entitled to a repre- 
sentative in the Board of Managers. This would extend the 
interests of the Society, relieve the officers of much of the 
responsibility now imposed, give to the members at large a 
voice in the management of the Society's affairs, and allow 
a greater consideration to the various matters presented to 
the Board for action, for experience has sliown that the 
attendance at meetings of the Board of Managers seldom 
exceeds five members. In nearly all of the State Societies a 
certain number of members of the Society, together with the 
officers, constitute tlie Board of Managers. 

In retiring from the office of President I desire to express 
my sincere thanks to the officers and members for their gen- 
erous and cordial supj)ort in all that has been undertaken. 

The Societj^ has now reached its full six years of life, hav- 
ing been organized on the first day of February, 1890. It has 
advanced to a position of dignity and influence, and the 
pure patriotism and disinterestedness which has character- 
ized its work has won for it the respect and confidence of 
the people of the State. 

When any organization attains such a position its influ- 
ence is desirable, and its services are ofttimes solicited to 
further interests foreign to the purposes for which it is 
organized and maintained; in whatever manner this Society 
lends that influence and approval, see that it is worthily be- 
stowed. There are certain lines within which we may prop- 
erly labor, but beyond which we have no right to go. Guard 
jealously our reputation, for on that depends the success of 
our future undertakings. 

Christopher Rhodes, Secretary, presents his report for the 
past year. 

Report of the Secretary. 

Providence, R. I., February 22d, 1896. 

To the Rhode Island Society of the Sons of the American 
Revolution : 

In compliance with the provisions of Sec. 6 of the By- 
Laws, the Secretary presents his annual report. 



[ 21G ] 

Amount collected from Feb. 22, 1895, to Feb. 17, 1806, 

as per statement 8471 00 

Amount paid Olney Arnold, II, Treasurer, from Feb. 

22, 1895, to Feb. 17, 189(i, as per vouchers 171 00 

Twenty-eiiiht new members have been admitted since our 
last annual meeting. We have lost two members by death. 
Total number of members on tlie rolls of the Society at the 
present time, 171. Three members have neglected to pay 
their dues for the j^ear 1 895-90. They have been notified 
several times, and are now liable to be dropped from the 
rolls. 

Respectfully submitted, 

Christopher Rhodes, 

Secretary. 

Olney Arnold, II, Treasurer, presents his report, as follows : 

Report of the Treasurer 

for the year ending February 22, 1896. 

Rhode Island Society of the Sons of the American Revolution : 

Receipts. 

Cash in bank Feb. 22, 1895 $161 91 

Dues, dinners, rosettes, certificates, etc.; also inter- 
est on bank deposit 545 84 

$707 75 
Expenditures. 

Annual dinner, Feb. 22, 1895, including 

printing, music, etc $213 50 

Dinner to General Porter, including mu- 
sic, printing, etc 132 Qb 

Expense of delegate to National Con- 
gress, jMay 1, 1895 8 95 

Rosettes 33 00 




OLNEY ARNOLD, II., 
Treasurer, 1890-1898. 



[ 217 ] 

Stamps, express charges, printing, sta- 
tionery, and certificates of member- 
ship 125 55 

Annual dues to National Society, 148 

members, at 25 cents each 37 00 

Grave markers, and printing regarding 

same GO 55 

Floral emblem for late Compatriot, N. 

M. Bradley 4 00 

$(315 20 
Cash in bank Feb. 22, 189G 92 55 

$707 75 

Olney Arnold, II, 

Treasurer. 
Providence, R. I., February 22, 189G. 

Robert P. Brown, Registrar, presents his report as follows : 
Report of the Registrar. 

To the Rhode Island Society of the Sons of the American 
Revolution : 

At the beginning of our official year the membership of the 
Rhode Island Society of the Sons of the American Revolution 
under the Charter was 152, of whom three had died and one 
resigned, leaving an active living membership of 148. Dui-ing 
this last year the admissions have been twenty-eight and 
deaths two, or a net increase of twenty-six, which gives 174 
as the strength of our Society to-day. Of the additions to 
our ranks this year the ancestry is as follows : from 

Deputy-Governor 1 

Member of General Assembly I 

Colonel 2 

Lieutenant-Colonel 3 

Major 2 

Captain 1 



[ 218 ] 

Surgeon 1 

Lieutenant 1 

Sergeant 4 

Ensign 2 

Drum-Major ] 

Corporal 1 

Private 7 

Militiamen 1 

The present total membership of the National Society is 
7,170, a gain of 1,292 this last year. There are now 32 State 
Societies, including tlie one in the Hawaiian Islands, and it 
is estimated that at the time of the next annual Congress, 
April 30th, there will be 34 State Societies and 7,500 mem- 
bers. 

The growth of the Society has been from the very finest 
class of men, and it seems indispensable to keep it in that 
line if you wish the Society to prosper and accomplish its 
beneficent mission of keeping alive the fires of patriotism 
and of unselfish devotion to country and man's emancipation 
from all bonds, whether the tyrant be civil or ecclesiastical. 
This Society has reached that position of numbers and in- 
fluence which should appeal to your pride to keep it so, and 
which should impel you to closely watch proposed members 
and notify the officers at once of objections to any man whcse 
character or acts would lower the Society's standing, or render 
him obnoxious to men who still try to uphold the spirit of '76. 

Joseph Balch, Secretary of the Committee on Marking the 
Graves of Revolutionary Soldiers, presents the following 
report : 

February 22d, ISOG. 

To the Society of the Sons of the American Revotutio)i : 

In the absence of the Chairman of this Committee in Texas, 
where I am informed he has gone to reside permanently, and 
at the urgent request of Mr. J. T. Blodgett, the other member 
of the Committee, I hereby present the report of the Com- 



[ 219 ] 

mittee on Marking the Graves of Revolutionary Soldiers in 
Rhode Island. 

From the time of their appointment to Jul}-, 1895, the 
Committee confined themselves to the task of obtaining as 
complete a list as possible of the Revolutionary graves in 
Rhode Island, and to that end had, from time to time, vari- 
ous articles and notices printed in the daily papers, and also 
sent to Town Clerks, Grand Army Posts, Historical Societies, 
and to various individuals throughout the State, a circular 
concerning the matter, a copy of which accompanies this 
report. They can now report 255 graves on the list. 

At a meeting of the Board of Managers of this Society, 
held July 17, 1895, the following resolution relating to the 
work of this committee was passed : 

Resolved, That the Committee on Marking the Graves of 
Revolutionary Soldiers be, and hereby are, authorized to 
purchase fifty (50) markers, and that these markers be placed 
on the graves of those 50 soldiers whose names shall be drawn 
by lot by the Secretary of the Committee from the list as 
prepared by the Committee. 

Resolved, That the Committee be authorized to collect sub- 
scriptions for this purpose, and toward marking the remain- 
der of the graves. 

Acting under this resolution, I accordingly drew by lot 
from the list fifty names, and notified, by circular to each 
one, the persons who had brought the graves to our atten- 
tion. A copy of this circular, and a list of the fifty graves 
drawn, accompany this report. It was stated very plainly 
and clearly in this circular that subscriptions to any amount 
would be received by the Committee. The phrase "to any 
amount," apparently escaped every one's attention, as no 
persons have availed themselves of the latitude allowed by 
the Committee, and all subscriptions have been of one dollar, 
or enough to pay for the marker delivered. I have received 
twenty-two subscriptions of $1.00 each, as follows : 

Richmond P. Everett John Ilowland grave. 

Miss J. A. Gardiner Alex. Mason " 

Miss M. A. Greene Thos. Hughes " 



[ 220 ] 

Thos. W. Bicknell Joshua Bicknell iirave. 

Fred. A. Arnold Anthony Arnold " 

do Job Whipple 

A. M. Thompson Eben Thompson " 

do James Rhodes " 

F. R. Brownell Sylvester Brownell " 

Jeffrey Davis Joshua Davis " 

iMrs. D. C. Moulton AVm. B. King 

Nathl. G. Totten Levi Totten 

W. A. Hoppin Wm. Jones " 

Edw. D. Morris Simeon Thayer " 

Anna B. Manchester Benj. Wilcox " 

J. C. W. Cole Caleb Arnold 

do William Arnold " 

Mrs. D. C. Moulton John Walton " 

do Holliman Potter " 

W. A. Cranston Benj. Cranston " 

Henry A. Freeman Chas. Freeman " 

Wilfred H. Munro Edw. Munro 

Of these, eleven, or one-half, were for graves not drawn in 
the original fifty. I have paid seventy cents for expressage, 
leaving $21.30, due this account, in my possession. 

On September 12 I ordered from the manufacturers, in 
Boston, fifty-three markers, to be delivered bj^ express, as 
follows : 

Etlward Field, Pi-ovidence 12 

Edw. D. Morris, " 12 

Thos. W. Bicknell, " 4 

Jolin P. Randall, Westerly 4 

J. Ilowai'd Manchestei-, Bristol l-t 

To the Secretary of the Committee, Providence.. 7 

The bill for these, and expressage, I approved, and sent to 
the Secretary of the Society. Of these fifty-three markers, 
with one sample marker on hand, making fifty-four in all, I 
have been notified that thirty-six have been finally placed in 
position, leaving, with the eleven paid for, but not in the 



[ 221 ] 

drawing of fifty— sixty-one in all— twenty-five not yet placed. 
Of these twenty-five graves, markers have been furnished 
for eighteen, but no notification of their having been placed 
has been received by the Secretary, leaving seven for which 
we have no markers to furnish. Of these three will be at- 
tended to as soon as markers can be obtained, but no arrange- 
ments have as yet been made toward placing markers on the 
remaining four graves. Of the four markers sent to Mr. 
Randall, at Westerly, two of the graves, those of Thomas 
Hall and William Vincent, he has been unable to locate, 
and he, consequently, holds two markers subject to the 
orders of the Committee. From this it will be seen that five 
more markers are needed to complete the marking of these 
sixt3^-one graves. 

The Committee have leceived very kindly cooperation from 
all with whom they have corresponded or spoken to upon the 
subject, and the interest in the matter seems to be general. 
They would especially like to thank Mr. Edw. D. Morris, of 
Providence, who has furnished us with a long list of names, 
besides personally marking a dozen graves in Swan Point 
and the North Burial Ground and elsewhere ; Miss C. Maria 
Shepard, of the Daughters of the American Revolution, who 
sent us a list of forty graves in Bristol ; Mr. Edward Field ; 
Colonel Will E. Brown, of East Greenwich ; Mr. John P. Ran- 
dall, of Westerly; Mr. Theo. Warren, of Warren ; Mr. Thomas 
W. Bicknell ; and many others who have given their time to 
the work and shown great interest in the matter. 

Entirely aside and separate from the work of the Committee, 
the people of Barrington, at the suggestion of Mr. Bicknell, 
purchased markers and placed them on the graves of fifty-six 
Revolutionary soldiers in that town, holding public memorial 
services and defraying the cost of the markers by general 
subscription. Mr. Bicknell has sent to the Committee a very 
full and complete list of these fifty-six graves, which will be 
added to the 255 already on our list. 

The success of this plan in Barrington was very marked, 
and would indicate at once a method by which most of the 
remaining graves in Rhode Island should be marked. The 



[ 222 ] 

method adopted by the Board of Managers, of drawing 
graves in different parts of the State, by lot, while verj- 
successful in fulfilling the intended purpose of awakening 
general interest in the matter throughout the State, has sev- 
eral disadvantages, the chief of whicli is, that frequently, of 
two or more graves, perhaps in outlying portions of the State, 
lying side by side and brought to our attention by the same 
person, one would be marked and the others not, necessitating 
extra trouble and expense when the time comes to attend to 
them. 

The Committee would recommend, therefore, tliat the So- 
ciety strive to excite sufficient interest in this subject in the 
towns and thickly settled portions of the State, that the ex- 
ample of Barrington may be generally followed. 

Of the forty graves in the list sent us by Miss Shepard, 
in the town of Bristol, markers were sent for fourteen to 
Mr. J, Howard Manchester on September 19, and I have not 
yet been notified that any of them have been placed. The 
Committee would suggest that this town might profitably be 
made the scene of the first efforts of the Societ}- in tlie direc- 
tion indicated, and would recommend the appointment of a 
committee to consist of those members of the Society' resi- 
dent in Bristol to attend to tiie raising of the necessarj" 
funds, and, if thought best, the calling of a public meeting, 
to mark these forty graves and what others that Jna}' be 
found. 

Including the fifty-six graves in Barrington, we know of 
307 graves of Revolutionary soldiers in the State; of these 
ninety-two have already had the Society's marker pUiced 
upon them, twenty-three more that will l)e undoubtedly 
placed in a short time, two that cannot be located. The 
I'emaining 100 are situated in various parts of the State, as 
follows : 

Prov., Swan Point.. 7 Cranston 2 Greenwicli . . .22 

" No. Burial Gd. 19 Smithfield 2 Apponaug 3 

" elsewhere .... 7 Bristol .... ... 20 Warwick li 

Gloeester 2 Barrington .... 1 Kingstown ... 21 



Woonsocket 4 

Cumberland 10 

Johnston 3 

Scitiiate 17 

Foster 5 



[ 223 ] 

Warren 11 

Newport 2 

Little Com pton. 3 

Tiverton 1 

Washin<i;ton ... 4 



Charlestown . . 3 

Exeter 2 

Westerly 6 

Centreville ... 1 

190 



Doubtless there are many more in these localities, especi- 
ally in Pawtucket, Woonsocket, Cumberland, Newport, and 
Warren, of which the Committee have as yet no knowledge. 

Respectfully submitted, for the Committee : 

Joseph Balch, 

Secrfitary. 



The officers elected for the ensuing vear are 



. William Maxvv^ell Greene. 

Royal Chapin Taft. 
. Christopher Rhodes. 

Olney Arnold, II. 
. Robert Perkins Brown. 
Wilfred Harold Munro. 
. Rev. Samuel Heber Webb. 
Rev. Frederic Denison. 
John Carter Brown Woods, Nathaniel 
French Davis, William T. C. Wardw^ell. 
Alternates, Arthur P. Sumner, James H. Tower, George 
T. Hart, Joseph Balch, Joseph H. Kendrick. 



President, 
Vice- Pres id en t, . 
Secretary, 
Treasurer, 
Registrar, 
Historian, . 
Chaplain, 
Poet, . 
Delegates, 



Upon the conclusion of the business of the annual meet- 
ing the Society adjourns to the Narragansett Hotel, at 7:30 
o'clock, where the annual dinner is served. 

The historical address is delivered by Professor Wilfred 
H. Munro, Historian, and is as follows : 



[ 224 ] 

Address of Professor Wilfred H. Munro, Historian : 
" Bristol in Revolutionary Days." 

Sons of the American Revolution: 

The poet Longfellow, in his " Courtship of Miles Standish," 
gives a most picturesque account of John Alden's letter- 
writing, when the " Mayflower " was about to sail on her 
homeward voyage. It was before that unhappy mortal had 
been deputed by the fiery Captain to arrange a matrimonial 
alliance between the said Captain and the beautiful Priscilla 
MuUins. All the epistles of that young man, he informs us, 
were " Filled with the name and the fame of the Puritan 
maiden Priscilla." No matter what might be in the body of 
the epistle " All of his letters began and ended with naming 
Priscilla." (You may very likely have noticed that Long- 
fellow, in that poem, does not mention the last name of the 
maiden. The name Mullins does not easily affiliate with 
poetic thought.) 

Possibly you may imagine that I, also, am filled with but 
one idea, and, using Longfellow's measure, may say that 
"All his discourses begin and end with naming old Bristol," 
for of that ancient Puritan village I propose to speak again 
to-night, of the part it played in that struggle for liberty and 
independence in which the ancestors of all of us shared. Pa- 
triotism, local or national, stimulates patriotism. May my 
words induce some one of my successors to tell us what his 
native town did or suffered in the contest that made us free. 
But, gentlemen ! I warn that man that his task will not be 
as easj^ as mine has been. Hardly another town in the Union 
has a history like that of Bristol behind it. No wonder that 
we, her sons, are proud of our mother. The legends of the 
old Vikings cluster around the summit of Mount Hope. 
Philip of Pokanoket, ablest and bravest of Indian chieftains, 
died in the swamp at its foot. In the years preceding the 
Revolutionary struggle the ambitious commerce of the little 
village was already reaching out over all seas. The priva- 
teers that Bristol men sailed in the wars in which the Col- 



[ 225 ] 

onies engaged, aiding thereby in the defence of their own 
commerce and of that of the mother country, were as fleet 
and as easily victorious over their rivals as was that other 
Defender that lately sailed out from Bristol to maintain— to 
prove — our ability to lead the racing fleets of the world. 
Shall not the sons of Bristol be proud of a history like that ? 

The town has always exercised an influence much more 
powerful than its size warranted in the affairs of the Colonj^ 
and State of Rhode Island. Indeed, after this little C'Ommon- 
wealth had been in existence somewhat more than a century, 
it found that the possession of Bristol was just as essential 
to its happiness as was the possession of the Puritan maiden 
I spoke of a moment ago to John Alden. More wise than 
the young pilgrim, it spoke for itself in due time, and a 
happy union has been the result. 

Bristol became a part of Rhode Island in 1747. The cen- 
sus (of the Colony), taken the following year, showed that it 
then possessed 1,069 inhabitants. In 1774, 1,209 persons lived 
in the town. Of these, 114 were blacks, and 16 were Indians. 
There were 197 families all told, and but 272 white males 
above 16 years of age. 

The population of the Colony was 59,707. Newport was the 
largest town, with 9,208 inhabitants. Providence was second, 
with 4,321; and Scituate {mirabile dictu) was third, with 3,601. 
(To-day Scituate has not that number.) All the towns bnt 
New Shoreham, Jamestown, Middletown, Warren, Johnston, 
North Providence, and Bariington surpassed Bristol in the 
number of inhabitants. Its comparative wealth was indi- 
cated, perhaps, by the fact that only six towns, Newport, 
South Kingstown, Providence, North Kingstown, Jamestown, 
and Portsmouth, surpassed it, in the order named, in the 
number of blacks. (Jamestown, however, should be in a 
class by itself. It had only 400 whites in a total population 
of 563.) 

The most influential men of the town were William Brad- 
ford and Simeon Potter. Bradford had alread}^ twice been 
Speaker of the General Assembly. (He was Speaker seven 
times afterward ; was, for four years, Deputj^ Governor ; 

39 



[ 226 ] 

and, later, was United States Senator. I may add that he 
was a personal friend of Washington, and that Washington 
once passed a week with him in his home at "The Monnt.") 
Simeon Potter was the richest man in the place. He was a 
retired Privateersman, and had acqnired large wealth from 
that somewhat indefinite territory — i. e., indefinite for a priva- 
teer — the " Spanish Main." He had already' been one of the 
Council (Senate) of the Colony, and in December, 1774, was ap- 
l)ointed Major-General of its forces — the first man chosen to fill 
the position after the office was created. These two men were, 
perhaps, as well known as anj- in the Colony when the war 
broke out. From some unknown cause. Potter's zeal waned 
during the struggle — Bradford did magnificent work during 
all the contest. In 1772, June 9th, the first British blood 
was shed in an open, organized, j)remeditated attack upon 
the forces of Great Britain. I do not need to describe that 
attack. You know all about it. Its eff'ect was felt through- 
out the length and breadth of the Colonies, and even bej^ond 
the seas. The waves that closed over the charred timbers of 
the "Gaspee " swept onward, gathering might, across the ocean, 
until thej' broke with irresistible fury against the cliffs of 
Great Britain. On that day, when the eight long-boats that 
had rowed down from Providence ai)proached the doomed 
vessel, they were joined by another boat from Bristol, under 
command of Simeon Potter. The name of the Potter was 
quite as prominent as any mentioned in the official investi- 
gation of that affair. 

Captain Thomas Swan, of the Bristol party, was the au- 
thor of the unique lyric which commemorated the exploit. 
Of him Judge Staples truly said, "He deserves our thanks, 
not so much for the sweet poetry of his song, as for the 
ballad shape in which he invested it. As it was sung in the 
circle of boon companions, they recalled the light of the 
burning " Gaspee" to their recollection, and hailed it as being, 
what subsequent events have shown it to be, the dawning 
light of freedom, whose mid-day effulgence now overspreads 
the land." 

Would that you could endure all this song of the Swan ! 



[ 227 ] 

But your patience does not equal that of j^our sires, and I 
will admit that Bristol has not as j-et produced any really 
great poet. 

"'Twas in the reign of George the Third, 
Our public peace was much disturbed 
By ships of war, that came and laid 
Within our ports, to stop our trade." 

and so on, for fifty lines, and more. 

The Boston Tea Party came off December IG, 1773. Feb- 
ruary 17, 1774, the citizens of Bristol, in town-meeting assem- 
bled, discussed the situation, and appointed a Committee to 
draft a series of resolutions. These resolutions were subse- 
quently adopted, and ordered to be printed in the Newport 
Mercury. If I had time I would like to give you an account 
of one of those pre-Revolutionary and Revolutionary town- 
meetings. They were picturesque in the extreme, and included 
some ceremonial adjuncts that might seem startling, even to 
men in this room. The number of freemen was small, and 
the meeting took on the appearance of a family party. Our 
ancestors always meant business in those meetings, and they 
thought tliat business would be promoted by cheerful spirits. 
They also thought cheerful spirits would best be kept up by 
pouring cheerful spirits down. So, to recur once more to the 
verse of Longfellow, "Every meeting began, continued, and 
ended with toddy.''' 

Our economical, our observable, our never too much to 
be revered sires, were always very careful of their expendi- 
tures in the way of dry goods, but their expenditures in 
the way of wet goods were terrific. I do not know whether 
we, their loving and patriotic sons, would stagger more under 
their bills or their liquors. Though, as I said a moment ago, 
they did a great deal of business at these meetings, I do not 
mean to be understood as advising that we should imitate 
their methods of stimulating the transaction of business. I 
should, however, like to see the puzzled expression upon the 
face of an ancestor, if he were told that a discussion was to 
be carried on, that a meeting like this was to be held, solely 
under the influence of Apollinaris. 



[ 228 ] 

Town-meetings were frequent in 1774. The Boston Port 
Bill took effect June 1st. In September, William Bradford, 
as Moderator, forwai'ded to Boston, for the benefit of its poor 
and distressed inhabitants, £47. 17. (>. To-day, to equal this 
sum, Bristol should contribute, for a similar object, at least 
$1,200, if money were worth only as much then as it is now. 
As a matter of fact, it was then worth much moi'e. Providence 
would have to contribute $30,000. Almost all the Rhode 
Island towns sent contributions at that time, but that of 
Bristol was proportionally^ larger than anj'. Thus, Newport 
(1st), 9,208 people, sent £300 : to equal Bristol it should have 
sent at least £375. Providence, 4,321, sent £51 and 136 sheep. 
Scituate, the third town in inhabitants (3,601), sent 120 sheep. 
Bristol, remember, had but 1,209 inhabitants. I suppose this 
large contribution is to be accounted for b^' the fact that 
Bristol was formerly a part of Massachusetts, and, therefore, 
had not felt the oppressive hand of the Bay Colony, as had 
the Rhode Island towns. It was from Bristol that "A Friend 
to Property," in 1771, had written, proposing that Rhode 
Island should be divided between Massachusetts and Con- 
necticut, or else be made a royal government, because, as he 
said, "an elective legislature must alwa5's be a source of dis- 
order and corruption in a small State." (Providence Ga- 
zette.) 

In the winter of 1774 and 1775, Sir James Wallace, Captain 
of the "Rose," a frigate stationed at Newport, renewed the 
persecutions which had made the "Gaspee" so obnoxious. 
You remember the brief and spicy correspondence between 
him and Captain Abraham Whipple. 

" To AhraliavL Whipple : 

You, Abraham Whipple, on the 10th June, 1772, burned 
his Majesty's vessel, the ' Gaspee,' and I will hang you at 
the yard-arm. 

James Wallace." 

" To Sir James Wallace : 

Sir. — Always catch a man before you hang him. 

Abraham Whipple." 



[ 229 ] 

From the time the "Rose" dropped her anchor in Newport 
harbor until the British sailed to New York, October 25, 1779, 
the shores of Narragansett Bay was continually devastated 
by marauding bodies of the enemy's troops. It is hardly pos- 
sible for us to realize how great those ravages wei'e. To name 
one instance : Before the war broke out, the islands and the 
mainland had been covered with forests almost to the water's 
edge ; the close of the war saw them treeless as to-day. On 
sandy or rocky soil a forest is the growth of centuries. In 
the naval adventures of that period the name of Silas Talbot, 
of Providence, is most conspicuous. His exploits furnish a 
fascinating theme for the pen of some historian. Conflicts 
upon the land were exceedingly frequent. In January, 1776, 
an attack was made upon Prudence Island. Aid to the inhabi- 
tants was sent from Warren and Bristol, and in the battle of 
three hours which followed the British were defeated with a 
loss of fourteen men killed and many others wounded. Be- 
fore that time, October 7, 1775, the town was bombarded. 
We celebrated the anniversary of that event a year ago last 
summer. I will not dilate upon it now, except to say that 
in the poem which commemorates the affair I seem to trace 
the influence of the genius Thomas Swan had displayed in 
his poem concerning the " Gaspee " : 

" In seventeen hundred and seventy -five 
Our Bristol town was much surprised 
By a pack of thievisli villains 
That will not work to earn their livings." 

I may say that the poem even surpasses in its meter the 
more famous Swan song. 

In 1777 Barton captured General Prescott, stopping, of 
course, at Bristol for inspiration on his way to the island. 
It is worthy of note that Barton commanded his men to take 
luith them no spirituous liquors. It was not town-meeting 
business that he had upon his hands. The capture of Pres- 
cott had a marvellous effect. Because of the somewliat scanty 
attire in which he was hurried to the shore, the poor man 
never heard the last of it in his own country. The English 
papers were full of references to it— references like this : 



[ 230 ] 

' ' The handkerchief ! ' Othello cries, 
' The handkerchief " the stage replies, 
' I prize it more than riches.' 
A different nole poor Prescott roars, 
For naught resounds the Atlantic shores 
But 'Where O where's my breeches?'" 

Sunday, Maj^ 25, 1778, most of the buildings in tlie compact 
part of the town were burned by a party of British and Hes- 
sian troops. The fortune of Bristol was more grievous during 
the Revolution than that of any other town in Rhode Island. 
Even Newport did not suffer as much. The latter escaped 
serious injury, as far as its houses were concerned, because 
it was garrisoned by the British, About thiity buildings 
were destroyed by the enemy during this raid. Even the 
Episcopal Church was burned, probably through a mistake, as 
the parish of St. Michael's had, for some time, been aided by 
the Society for the Propagation of Gospel in Foreign Parts, 
or, as it is more commonly called, the Propagation Societ3\ 
The sexton of the church was not in the town when the edi- 
fice was burned. He absolutel}^ refused to believe that the 
structure was destroj^ed. " It can't be so," he said, " because 
I have got the key in my pocket," 

In September, 1778, Lafayette took command of the posts 
about the island. For a time he made his headquarters at 
Bristol, but not for many days. He dates one letter to 
Washington, " Camp near Bristol Sept 7 1778" but seventeen 
days later writes : " I have removed my station from Bristol 
and am in a safer place behind Warren." His headquarters 
in Bristol were in the Reynolds house " on the Neck." (This 
was thrown open to your inspection not long ago, through the 
kindness of the present owner.) The Mrs. Reynolds who 
received the General had made suitable preparations for her 
noted guest, but when he dismounted from his horse, so 
youthful was his appearance that she supposed him to be 
simply an aid, sent ahead to announce the coming of his 
superior officer. Not until he had finished his dinner, and 
she had ventured to remind him, as he lingered over his toddj'^ 
of couise, that his General was momentarily expected, did the 



[ 231 J 

Marquis astonish her bj' informing her that he was the visitor 
whose arrival she had so eagerly anticipated. 

March 13, 1781, a still more illustrious soldier visited the 
town. Him a company of the towns-people, mounted on 
horseback, rode to the Ferry to greet and to escort to the vil- 
lage. Accompanied bj^ his aids he rode the entire length of 
Hope street. As he passed State street a salute from the 
cannons in front of the Court House, wliich then stood in the 
middle of that street, was fired in his honor. When he passed 
Bradford street the inhabitants, clad in their best apparel, 
standing on both sides of the street, strewed his path with 
flowers and witli evergreens. " Marm Burt," the widow of 
Parson 'Burt who had died during the bombardment of the 
town, was then keeping a " Dame School." To impress this 
visit upon the memories of her scholars she made them learn 
this couplet : 

"In 1781 
I saw General Washington." 



SEVENTH ANNUAL MEETING. 

February 22, 1S97. 



THE seventh animal meeting of the Rhode Island So- 
ciet}^ of the Sons of the American Revolution is 
held February 22, 1897, at the Cabinet of the Rhode 
Island Historical Society, on Waterman street, in 
Providence, at 12 o'clock noon. 

President William Maxwell Greene presents his address, 
as follows : 

Address op William Maxwell Greene, President. 

Compatriots of the Rhode Island Society of the Sons of the 
American Revolution : 

In conformity with the By-Laws of this Society, your Presi- 
dent herewith gives a short account of the work of the Society 
during the past twelve months. 

At the last annual meeting the following Committees were 
appointed : 

A Committee on Statues of General Nathaniel Greene and 
Commodore Esek Hopkins, consisting of, viz.: Amasa M. 
Eaton, Wilfred H. Munro, Olney Arnold, Alfred Stone , George 
E. Barstow, Joseph H. Kendrick, Cliarles Warren Lippitt, Ed- 
ward R. Willson, Daniel Russell Brown, W. T. C. Wardwell, 
Robert P. Brown, Earl Philip Mason, Nathaniel F. Davis, 
Daniel B. Pond, Orray T. Mason. 

In consequence of the decease of Compatriot Pond, Com- 
patriot A. L. Kelley has been appointed in his place. 

A Committee was also appointed, to act with a similar 




WILLIAM MAXWELL GREENE, 
President, 1896-1897. 



[ 233 ] 

Committee to be appointed by the Rhode Island Historical 
Societj', for the purpose of preparing a list of names of 
distinguished men of this State, to be placed upon the walls 
of the new Capitol. The members appointed from this So- 
ciety were Compatriots Alfred Stone, Wilfred H. Munro, 
Alonzo Williams. 

A Committee was also appointed to consider the recom- 
mendations in the annual address of the retiring President, 
as to amendments to the Constitution and By-Laws of our 
Society. This Committee consisted of Nathaniel F. Davis, 
Amasa M. Eaton, George E. Barstow. 

The Committee reported later in the day, at the banquet, 
suggesting that the time was too short, in view of the magni- 
tude of ihe undertaking, and recommending the appoint- 
ment of another Committee, to give the subject thorough 
examination. Whereupon such a Committee was appointed, 
consisting of Compatriots Amasa M. Eaton, Edward Field, 
Christopher Rhodes, Nathaniel F. Davis, Alfred Stone. Sub- 
sequently, Compatriot Field resigned his position on this 
Committee. The Committee will report during the meeting, 
and the important matter confined to their care will, doubtless, 
receive your careful consideration. The experience gained 
during the past seven years undoubtedly will contribute 
largely towards the suggestion of laws for our guidance, well 
adapted to the purposes of our organization. 

An interesting chaptei' of our year's work was the presen- 
tation of copies of Stuart's Athenaeum portrait of Washing- 
ton to the high schools of the State. This Committee will 
submit their report to you at this meeting. 

Early last summer our Society was invited by the city of 
Providence to take charge of the civic celebration of Inde- 
pendence Day, by following the good old fashion of gathering 
the people together in some public place, to hear an oration 
and the Declaration of Independence. Compatriot Wilfred 
H. Munro was Chairman of this Committee. The services of 
Solon W. Stevens, Esq., of the Massachusetts Society of the 
Sons of the American Revolution, were secured, who deliv- 
ered an oration of rare eloquence, appropriate to the occasion. 

30 



C 234 ] 




The Society, through the Board of Managers, acknowledged 
his courtesy bj' a vote of tlianlcs ; and the Committee ac- 
knowledged, also, its indebtedness to Compatriot Williams, 
who read the Declaration of Independence. Owing to some 
misunderstanding, the celebration was not held in the old 
First Baptist Meeting-House, but in the church of the Benefi- 
cent Congregational Societ}^, which courteously offered its 
church for the purpose. A drum and fife band, in Conti- 
nental uniform, furnished the music. 

On the 20th of January last a rolled bronze tablet was 

placed on the 
northwest cor- 
ner of Universi- 
ty Hall, facing 
the west side, 
commemorating 
the occupation 
of the college 
building bj' the 
patriot troops 
and their French 
allies during the 
Revolutionary 
War, and the 
fact that, almost 
to a man, facul- 
ty and students 
Avere engaged in 
the war. Brief 
services were 
held in Manning 
Hall, the I'oom in University Hall being too small to accom- 
modate the large audience present. Your President said a 
few words appropriate to the occasion as the tablet was un- 
veiled, and then, all being assembled in Manning Hall, Arnold 
Green, Esq., L. L. D., made an address, followed by an origi- 
nal poem by Rev. Frederic Denison, Poet of the Society. 
Thanks were given to the speakers, the Daughters of the 



ITHE RHODE ISLAND SOCIETY 
;OF THE SONS OF THE AMERi- 
ICAN REVOLUTION COMMEAIO- 
RATES BV THIS TABLET THE 
OCCUPATION- OF THIS BUILD- 
INO BY THE PATRIOT FORCES! 
AND THEIR FRENCH ALLIES, 
DURING T14E REVOLUTIONARY !^;((gv 
„ WAR. FOR SIX YEARS ALL .4C-^T' 
lADEMIC EXERCISES IN THIS 4?^ 
UNIVERSITY WERE SUSPL=^'D-i^(M 

ED. faculty; students, and i^^ 

iCRADUATES, .ALMOST TO A MA^ ^' 
WERE ENCAGED IN THE^SER- 
VICE OF THEIR COUNTRYl 
»<*» MAY ALL WHO READ Y*HIS IN-!-. 
*-T^!SCRIPTION BE STIMULATED!^ 
,W|BY THEIR EXAMPLE TO RE-li^. 
'#iSPOND AS LOYALLY TO THEIR 1^ ^, 
•C^ COUNTRY'S CALL : : : :;:::: \m& 
DUi^E ET DECORUM ESTj^t^ 
".OIPATRIA MORI? ' ■ 

REC£ED^-1S92^ - 




Ki 




[ 235 ] 

American Revolution, members of the Society of Colonial 
Dames, and other invited guests. 

A meeting of our National Society at Richmond, Ya., on 
April 30, 1896, was attended by your Vice-President, Com- 
patriot Taft, and by Compatriots W. C. T. Ward well and 
Arthur P. Sumner. I will read Compatriot Taft's letter re- 
porting this interesting event. 

Upon invitation of His Excellency the Governor, on Jan- 
uary 25, 1897, Compatriots Joseph H. Kendrick, J. Edward 
Studley, John Carter Brown Woods, Christopher Rhodes, and 
your President met leading military officers of the State and 
a delegation from the Grand Army of the Republic in the 
Senate Chambei- in Providence, to examine the old flags of 
the Colony and State carried by our troops through the Revo- 
lutionary War, and to unite in a petition to the General 
Assembly to restore the original color, white, of the State 
flag, this being the color ordered by General Washington. 
Since this meeting tliis petition has been presented to our 
General Assembly, and there is every prospect that the 
change suggested will be adopted. Upon conclusion of this 
meeting in the Senate Chamber, a most hospitable reception 
and lunch took place at the Governor's mansion. 

The Wisconsin Society of the Sons of the Amei-ican Revo- 
lution have requested their representatives in Congress to 
present a bill providing for the collection, indexing, and pub- 
lication, by the United States Government, of all the records, 
papers, maps, and other documents relating to the War of the 
American Revolution. In accordance with the request made 
to us by this Society, our Board of Managers have requested 
the representatives in Congress from this State to co-operate 
in the introduction and adoption of such an act. Our Board 
has also asked our representatives in Congress to use their 
influence in securing the passage of a bill now pending be- 
fore Congress, asking for an appropriation of twenty-five 
thousand dollars by the National Government to build a 
monument in memory of the Revolutionary soldiers. The 
Maryland Society has already secured about twenty thousand 
dollars as a contribution towards this monument. 



[ 236 ] 

During the last j^ear we liave lost two of our members: 
Compatriots Alfred M. Williams, wlio died at Basse Terre, 
St. Kitts, March 9, 1800; and Daniel B. Pond, who died in 
Providence, September 9, 1890. Brief memorials will be read 
at the banquet. 

Thirty-two new members, admitted during the 3'ear, pi'ove 
our continued growth. 

All these praiseworthy enterprises show that our Society is 
accomplishing the good work for which it was instituted. 

Christopher Rhodes, Secretarj^, i)resents his report for the 
past year : 

Report of the Secretary. 

Providence, R. I., February 22, 1897. 

To the Rhode Island Society of the Sons of the American 
Revolidion : 

In compliance with the provisions of section 6 of the By- 
Laws, the Secretary respectfully submits the following, viz.: 

Amount collected for dues, etc., from February 17, 1890, to 
Febi-uary 10, 1897, $475.50, which has been duly forwarded to 
the Treasurer. 

Thirty-two new members have been admitted during the 
past year. 

We have lost two Compatriots bj^ death : Alfred M. Wil- 
liams, who died at Basse Terre, St. Kitts, March 9, 1896; and 
Daniel B. Pond, who died in the city of Providence, Septem- 
ber 9, 1890. 

Total number on the rolls of the Society at the present 
time, 204. 

Members are respectfully requested to be as prompt as pos- 
sible in the payment of their annual dues. 

Respectfully submitted, 

Christopher Rhodes, 

Secretary. 



[ 237 ] 
Olney Arnold, II, Treasurer, presents his report, as follows : 

Report of the Treasurer 

for tlie year ending February 22, 1897. 
Rhode Island Society of the Sons of the American Revolution : 

Receipts. 

Cash in bank Feb. 22, 189G $ 92 55 

Dues 396 00 

Admission fees 33 00 

Certificates 29 00 

Rosettes 15 00 

Dinner 252 50 

Interest, etc 8 79 

$826 84 
Expenditures. 

Annual dinner, Feb. 22, 1896, including 

printing, music, etc $353 75 

Printing, postage, express, stamps, cer- 
tificates, and miscellaneous 124 67 

Floral emblems for late Compatriots R. 

G. Brown and D. B. Pond 9 00 

Annual dues to National Society, 174 

members, at 25 cents 43 50 

Portraits of Washington, framed and 
inscribed, presented to high schools, 
with incidental expenses 100 08 

Fourth of July expenses 23 40 

Brown Univ.ersity tablet 140 00 

$794 40 

■ $826 84 

Cash in bank Feb. 22, 1897 32 44 

Olney Arnold, II, 
Providence, R. I., February 22, 1897. Treasurer. 

Examined, and found correct. W. A. Cranston, Auditor. 



[ 238 ] 

Robert P. Brown, Esq., Registrar, presents his report as 
follows : 

Report op the Registrar. 

To the Rhode Island Society of the Sons of the American 
Revolution : 

The Society has this year increased its numbers consider- 
ably', and has had but two deaths to record, viz.: Daniel B. 
Pond, died September 9, 1890; Alfred M. Williams, died 
March 9, 189G. 

The total number on roll of members is 212 ; less resigned, 
one ; died, seven ; present living membership, 204. 

I have registered this year thirty-two, who obtained the 
right to join this Societj^, viz.: From 

Privates 17 

Corporal 1 

Sergeant 1 

Lieutenants 4 

Ensign 1 

Lieutenant-Colonel 1 

Captains 2 

Commodore 1 

Governor 1 

Superintendent of Defenses 1 

Drummer 1 

Chaplain 1 

The Chaplain meekly brings up the rear, but he had the 
honor to be taken a prisoner of war. I think you will find 
the character of the new membership fully up to the Society's 
standard. The Board of Managers liave passed a new By- 
Law, requiring any member who signs the papers of an 
applicant to write a letter affirming that such applicant is a 
man of integrity, good character, and desirable as a member 
of this Society. It would seem that the signing of a man's 
papers carried the above recommendations with it, but the 
Board judged not, and the members should bear in mind this 
By-Law when asked to recommend a man in his application 



[ 239 ] 

papers. The surplus funds of this Society have been directed 
towai'ds carrying out two very proper and desirable objects, 
and a handsome framed portrait of Washington now adorns 
the walls of every High School in the State, and old Univer- 
sity Hall has a tablet describing its services in the Re vol u- 
tionarj' War. 

The Committee on Marking Graves of Revolutionary Sol- 
diers submits the following report : 

Report of the Committee on Marking Graves of 
Revolutionary Soldiers. 

W. Maxwell Greene, Esq., President, Rhode Island Society 
of the Sons of the American Revolution : 

Sir : — Your Committee begs leave to present the following 
brief report : 

Very little has been accomplished by this Committee dur- 
ing the past year. A few names have been added to the list, 
and the marker of the Society has been placed on a few 
more graves. Four subscriptions of one dollar each have 
been i-eceived, to pay for markers delivered, making $26.00 
in all received for this purpose. Of this sum $6.00 has been 
paid for additional markers, and 95 cents for expressage, 
leaving a balance of $19.05 in the hands of the Committee. 

In the last annual report of this Committee, in February, 
1896, the action of, patriotic people in Barrington, in placing 
markers on fifty-six graves in that town, was called to the 
attention of the Society, and the suggestion made that a like 
course, followed in the other cities and towns in the State, 
would soon result in having every grave of a Revolutionary 
soldier in Rhode Island suitably indicated by this Society's 
marker. As far as known to your Committee, this sugges- 
tion has met with no response. 

In the city of Providence fiftj^-one graves have been re- 
ported to the Committee, and of this number eleven have 
already been marked, leaving forty graves, of which twenty- 



[ 240 ] 

three are in the North Burying Ground, seven in Swan 
Point, and ten elsewhere, still unmarked. If the Society is 
not at present in a position to arrange for placing a marker on 
every Revolutionary grave in the State, I would suggest that 
it, at least, provide for those in its own city, and thus set an 
example which, it is to be hoped, the other towns in the State 
will follow. The Committee would like to see a proper suni 
appropriated from the funds of the Society for this purpose, 
say $30.00, a great part of which would probably be returned 
to the Society by payments, for markers, made by descend- 
ants of these Revolutionary soldiei's. 

For the Committee, 

E. O. Bartlett, Cliairman. 
Joseph Balch, Secretanj. 

Providence, February 22, 1897. 

The officers elected for the ensuing year are : 

President, . . Royal Chapin Taft. 

Vice-President, William Thomas Church Wardwell. 

Secretary, . . Christopher Rhodes. 

Treasurer, . . Olney Arnold, II. 

Registrar, . . Robert Perkins 1>rown. 

Historian, . . Edward Field. 

Chaplain, . . . Rev. Frederic Denison. 

Poet, .... George Allen Buffum. 

Delegate at Large, Frederick W. Easton. 

Delegates, . . . James II. Tower, George T. Hart. 

Alternates, . . Joseph Balch, Edward C. B. Stiness, 

E. Charles Francis, Russell W. 

Knight, Will E. Brown. 

Upon the conclusion of the business of the annual meeting 
the Society adjourns to the Narragansett Hotel at 7: 30 o'clock, 
where the annual dinner is served. 

The historical address is delivered by Professor Wilfred 
Harold Munro, Historian, the subject being "Concurrent 
Opinion of the American Revolution." This address was 



[ 241 ] 

not written, the speaker quoting from various authorities, 
and supplementing them with explanatory remarks. The 
address was of peculiar interest and was received with 
marked attention. 

Robert P. Brown, Registrar of the Societ}', delivers the 
following address on the life and services of Colonel Israel 
Angell, of the Rhode Island Continental line. 

Address of Robert P. Brown, Registrar : " Colonel 
Israel Angell." 

A goodly number of people outside of our communion fancy 
that this Society is of celestial origin ; they believe that, like 
the almond-eyed hordes of the celestial empire, we hold as 
the first article in oiir creed the worship of our ancestors. 
These same people honestly expect that we shall carry this 
worship so far as to outdo our Chinese friends, and instead 
of cultivating the tombstones of our antecedents in the back 
3'ai'd, that we will soon sport miniature tombstones on our 
watch chains, properly engraved with the birth, death, and 
service of our adored Revolutionary progenitors. 

While we may disappoint them by failing to observe this 
latter rite, I have deferred to their celestial conception of us 
by selecting an Angell to present to you this evening, trust- 
ing to spread his wings sufficiently to draw your attention to 
an ideal Revolutionar}' soldier. 

As I call to mind some of the addresses made by hyper- 
impartial historical critics before this society, I feel as if it 
may be an act of temerity to call foith from its grave the 
ghost of a Revolutionary soldier, and also likely to be very 
embarrassing for the ghost. For we are told that when the 
Revolutionary ghosts chance upon the ghosts of a later war, 
they take otf their skulls and ciy, " Csesar's Ghost ! what am 
I to stand before thee ? Thou art greater than I." Such meet- 
ings are, of course, to be avoided. 

Historj' is also expounded to us tyros in the science, and 
we are told that the men of wealth and position were opposed 
to the War of the Revolution ; from which we infer that we 

31 



[ 242 ] 

are descended from the common, earnest, every-daj^ fighting- 
men of that time, who resented all tyranny and thwarted it ; 
thank God for that ! 

Tory ancestors are paraded before ns, and we are asked to 
drop a tear because a community fighting for its life and 
liberty amid poverty, hardship, and starvation preferred that 
the Tories should depart from these j)lantations to go whither 
they would, to perish on the stormy main, or die in Nova 
Zembla or Kamchatka, rather than have them remain to 
give encouragement, comfort, or information to the enemy. 

To my callous understanding, one hundred and twenty 
j^ears have not mitigated the offence of the Tories, and there 
will be equally callous people many centuries hence ; for 
there are times and crises when men have no right to an opin- 
ion, but must keep their eyes fixed in the path of honor, and 
act for the defence of the State and the common rights of all. 

We have had a review of the American army before us, 
and been told that thej'' were an army of mutineers ; that 
they did not look genteel, in fact hardly respectable, as some 
had no shoes, some no trousers, and all of them little suste- 
nance and less ])ay. 

Of course, history presents no parallel of that noble array 
of a few thousand men, who fought to a successful finish the 
contest with a great kingdom of overpowering superiority in 
resources, nor can it show a case of greater hardship, priva- 
tions, and neglect more cheerfully endured for freedom's sake. 

That they sometimes resented appai-ent neglect and be- 
came mutinous, therein lay the head and front of their 
offending. 

Perhaps the most regrettable historical episode which has 
been imposed upon us was the impre.ssive fact that there was 
not money enough in Rhode Island to pay the assessments of 
the Continental Congress, and so the State paid part in kind ; 
that is, in supplies of beef, pork, corn, i-um, &c. This was 
manifestly wrong, and no excuses are offered. 

It was well enough to pay in rum, for it took just so much 
of that pernicious colonial liquid out of the State, but to let 
good beef and corn go when they were so much needed here 



[ -^43 ] 

seems inexcusable. The proper thing, from an impartial his- 
toric view of the case, was to have opened up a gold mine, or 
at least a silver mine, somewhere in Foster or Chei^achet, and 
thus the}^ could have furnished hard cash and saved their 
bacon. 

Some people, in their attempts to impartialize historj^ rise 
so high on their opinionated pinions that when they conde- 
scend to look down everything looks very small, and they 
find themselves unable to distinguish between a Tory and a 
patriot, between a Revolutionar^y hero and a bounty jumper. 

There are others of us wlio prefer to stay on the solid earth, 
in proximity to facts, and not to pervert history. To these 
earth-bound people it is refreshing to turn from the bewilder- 
ing heights of the former, and to view a plain, uncompromis- 
ing Revolutionary soldier like Colonel Israel Angell, of whom 
the Providence Journal, two days after his death, said : 
" There has passed away one who was truly a Revolutionary 
hero, and as brave and fearless a soldier as ever faced an 
enem3^ 

Colonel Israel Angell was a descendant in the fifth genera- 
tion of Thomas Angell, who came over in 1631, in the ship 
"Lion," with Roger Williams. Thomas Angell was one of 
the thirteen who signed the first civil compact which founded 
the government of Rhode Island. He received from Roger 
Williams, in the land deal, his six-acre lot, extending from 
North Main street east, where now the First Baptist C'hurch 
stands, and cut off future fame-seeking aldermen by having 
two adjacent streets named for him ; Thomas street and 
Angell street were thus wisely provided for. 

To Thomas, therefore, we are indebted that Rhode Island 
became the abode of Angells, and more especially of one sur- 
named Israel. Colonel Israel Angell was born in Johnston, 
August 24, 1740, on the place which is, or recently was, the 
asylum farm. I do not mean to say he was born a colonel, 
or even as great as a corporal, but with your permission I 
will give him the title thus early to distinguish him from the 
tribes of Israel and of Angells who have passed across life's 
transitory stage in these plantations. 



[ 244 ] 

His mother had been a teaclier, and thus was able to give 
him a better education than the farm boy usually gets. His 
penmanship was so excellent that the muster-roll of his regi- 
ment, written bj' himself and now in the archives at Wash- 
ington, is said to be as fine a specimen as can be found there. 
He appears to have been conversant with scientific subjects, 
and to have talked well upon them ; and the carefully-kept 
diarj^ detailing the episodes of each day of his soldier life in 
good, clear English, is the best witness of his mother's careful 
etforts to equip him for a broader experience. 

When the news arrived in Providence that the Anglo- 
American Ball had opened at Lexington, to the tune of 
whistling bullets, Colonel Israel was about thirty-five years 
old, a farmer in general, incidentally a teacher, and a cooper 
in particular. 

Barrels seemed very empty things to him after that event, 
and without hesitation or delay our Rhode Island Cincinna- 
tus left the plough and the adze and quickly changed from 
his occupation of placing heads in barrels to placing heads 
on the troops and hirelings of his Britannic Majestj^ George 
the Third, and for six j'ears the pursuits of peace knew him 
no more. 

The battle of Lexington took place April 19, 1775. On the 
next daj' a thousand men were on the march from Provi- 
dence to join the "embattled farmei'S." and show that the 
burning of British taxed tea was no idle brag, but that they 
were ready to defend their cherished rights with their lives, 
and to resent all tyranny, however petty, with the sword. 

This irregular column of attack was recalled upon receipt 
of later news, and an organized bodj^ was rather liiimoroushj 
enlisted in the name of the King, and discreetly called an 
army of observation. 

In this army Colonel Israel Angell was appointed Major of 
the Providence Regiment, and, b}' the first of June, Rhode 
Island had the best organized and equipped contingent before 
Boston, consisting of about one thousand men (six companies 
added later), and a siege battery of twelve guns. LTnfortu- 
nateh" we have no roster of this army before Boston, but we 



[ 245 ] 

know that the Providence Regiment was in the skirmish line, 
and actively engaged at the battle of Bunker Hill. 

To show the kind of man Colonel Israel Angell was, I will 
quote an extract from a letter to his brother Hope, December 
1, 1775, dated Prospect Hill: "I am much alarmed at the 
news of the conduct of the people in Providence, and the 
towns adjacent, to hear that they are likely to rise in mobs, 
on account of salts rising and some other small articles. I 
beg of every honest and well-meaning person, both in town 
and country, to exert themselves to the utmost of their power, 
to suppress any riotors proceedings among yourselves: especi- 
ally at this time, for God's sake let us unite all as one in 
America, if we don't, but fall at variance among ourselves, 
of all God's creation we shall be most miserable." 

Upon the formation of Colonel Daniel Hitchcock's Second 
Rhode Island Regiment, Colonel Israel Angell was appointed 
Lieutenant-Colonel, and marched westward to join Washing- 
ton's forces. 

In August, 1776, the retreat from Long Island was made, 
and on the fifteenth of September the Rhode Island regi- 
ments had a skirmish with the British at Haarlem Heights, 
of which General Nathanael Greene wrote to the Governor of 
Rhode Island, that "the R. I. troops behaved nobly:" as 
Colonel Hitchcock was awaj^ taking care of the sick. Colonel 
Angell was in command. 

In October, 1776, among the officers named bj' Washington 
for the Continental line was Israel Angell, as Lieutenant- 
Colonel of Second Rhode Island Battalion. Hitchcock, who 
was Angell's superior officer, commanded the brigade, which, 
besides the Second, included also Varnum's, Lippilt's, and two 
Massachusetts regiments, and was a part of the flying column 
called the American army, which executed that long retreat 
across the Jerseys to the other side of the Delaware river, 
where it camped in the dead of winter: the forlorn hope in 
that most dismal pei-iod of a distracted and almost hopeless 
country. But the British commander failed to take into ac- 
count two things : the military genius of Washington, and 
the pugnacious fighting capacities of Rhode Islanders. 



[ 24G ] 

On Christmas niglit Washington recrossed the Delaware, 
and captnred the surprised Hessians, at Trenton. Advanc- 
ing towards Princeton, he was met by Cornwallis and driven 
back towards Trenton, which point he readied late in the 
afternoon of January 2, 1777. The Rhode Island brigade, 
just arrived, had scarcely time to taste a mouthful of bread 
and tainted pork, when they were ordered to cross the stone 
bridge, to support the skirmishers and artillery, and check 
Cornwallis and his ten thousand men. 

During the closing hour of that fateful day the Rhode 
Island troops held their gi-ound ; opening ranks to let the 
fleeing skirmish line pass through, they closed up into solid 
column, and, amid a galling cross fire from the side streets, 
slowly recrossed the bridge and formed on the other side 
of the creek, in face of the enemy. Meanwhile the artillery 
occupied the entrance to the bridge. 

The loss of time, and determined resistance at the bridge, 
induced Cornwallis, at that late hour of the day, to defer 
crossing until morning, and Washington's little army of about 
four thousand tired, starved, and illy equipped men, were 
saved from almost certain capture. 

It would be hard to overestimate the services of Hitch- 
cock's brigade, at the Trenton bridge, during those precious 
minutes of delay. Not only the fate of the American army, 
but the very existence of a free United States, hung in the 
balance. 

If Cornwallis had crossed that night, history would have 
had to have been written differently ; and very likely we 
would not be celebrating Washington's birthday to-night. 

Washington, sitting on his horse, close to the rail of the 
bridge, saw it all, and, grasping Colonel Hitchcock's hand, 
asked him to thank the men and officers of his brigade for 
their valorous defense. 

When the British rubbed the sleep out of their eyes, on 
the next morning, they ^ound nothing to capture but the 
smouldering embers of numerous camp fires. Washington 
had spirited his army away in the night, outwitting and 
outflanking the great Cornwallis, and was far away on the 



[ 247 ] 

road, in the rear of the British, to win his second victory at 
Princeton. 

After Princeton, the American army, eluding the enemy, 
after terrible exposure and privation, reached Morristown, 
where they went into winter quarters. Three days after 
their arrival, Colonel Daniel Hitchcock, educated at Yale, as 
brave, talented, and courteous an officer as anj^ in the army, 
died from the terrible strain of this campaign. 

Lieutenant-Colonel Israel Angell was promoted to the com- 
mand of the Second, which Washington called " his Rhode 
Island Regiment," and held the position so long as it was a 
separate organization. 

In August, 1777, we find Colonel Angell at Peekskill,N. Y., 
from whence he wrote a pathetic letter to the Governor of 
Rliode Island, showing the beggarly condition of his troops, 
onlj' one-half tit for duty, many witliout clothes, and many 
barefoot, and so dissatisfied that only Varnum's eloquence 
kept them in line. 

In September, Colonel Angell's regiment behaved gallantly 
at the battle of Brand}- wine ; October 22d he was at Red 
Bank, and wrote a lucid account of the defense of Fort 
Mercer, where Colonel Greene repulsed the attack of 1,200 
Hessians, with a loss of one-quarter of their number, and 
where Major Simeon Thayer distinguished himself at the 
Mud Island Fort. The terrible winter of 1777-78 he passed 
at Valley Foi-ge, with the American commander. 

In June, 1778, we catch a glimpse of Colonel Israel, en- 
gaged at the battle of Monmouth, where there was intense 
suffering from heat, and shortly after this he was detached 
from the grand army, and his regiment was sent, as part of 
Lafaj^ette's corps, to assist in the campaign against the Brit- 
ish, on the island of Rhode Island. 

He took part in the battle of Rhode Island, August 29, 
1778, and here is his own account of that event. 

"Aug. 29, 1778. A clear morning and very cool. The 
army received orders last evening to strike their tents and 
march to the north end of the Island. The advanced picquet 
was to come off at twelve o'clock. The enemy finding that 



[ 248 ] 

we had left our ground, pursued with all possible speed, came 
up with our picquet about sunrise, and a smart firing began. 
The picquet repulsed the British troops two or three times, 
but was finally obliged to retreat, as the enemy brought a 
number of field pieces against them. The enemj' was soon 
checked by our cannon in coming up to our main body, and 
tliey formed on Quaker Hill, and we took possession of Butt's 
Hill. The left wing of the British army was composed of the 
Hessians, who attacked our right wing and a sevei'e engage- 
ment ensued, in which the Hessians were put to flight and 
beat off the ground, with a considerable loss. Our loss was 
not very great, but I cannot ascertain the number. I was 
ordered with my regiment to a Redoubt on a small hill which 
tlie enemj' was trying foi', and it was with difficulty that we 
got there before the enemy. I had three or four men killed 
and wounded to-day. At night I was ordered with my Regi- 
ment to lie on the lines. I had not slept then in two nights 
more than two or three hours ; the regiment had eaten noth- 
ing during the whole day. This was our situation to go on 
guard, but we marched off cheerfully and took our post. 

"Aug. 30. I was relieved this morning and got some pro- 
visions, and being much worn out for the want of sleep, went 
to a house and took a good nap. There was a cannonade 
kept up to-day and some small arms from the sentries. At 
night we received orders to retreat off the Island, which we 
did without the loss of anything. This retreat was in conse- 
quence of an Express from Gen'l Washington informing 
Gen'l Sullivan that the British ships of war and transports 
had sailed from New York some days before. 

"Aug. 31. Our retreat off the Island was completed by 
three o'clock this morning. It is supposed that the enemy 
attemi)ted a retreat last evening, but after finding that we 
had retreated they returned to their ground," &c., &c. 

After leaving the island, for the same reasons that the 
others did, he marched his regiment to Warren for winter 
cantonment. 

His most important capture this winter was 388 pairs of 
socks from a gentleman who strayed into camp. The gentle- 
man took away $1,200 in return for them, and maybe could 
explain whether money was cheap, or socks dear. Colonel 
Angell expresses great satisfaction at the trade, being well 
up on the value of Rhode Island paper money. 

July 4, 1779, Colonel Angell was ordered up with his regi- 



[ 249 ] 

ment to Providence. December 3d thej^ were at Danbnry 
Conii., and December 7th crossed the Hudson at King's 
Ferry, and went into winter quarters at Pompton. 

On June 23, 1780, a detachment of one hundred and seventy 
men, from Colonel Angell's regiment, re-enacted the Trenton 
Bridge defense in a curiouslj^ similar manner. Colonel Green, 
of the First Rhode Island Regiment, held Springfield, N. J., 
with less than a thousand men. Kniphausen and Clinton 
advanced from Elizabethtown with seven thousand men to 
capture the place. 

Colonel Angell, with his detachment, held the bridge over 
the Rahway, and was attacked by one thousand five hun- 
dred of the enemy. He was forced back with a loss of forty 
men, but the defense of the bridge was so desperate that 
General Clinton appeared to think he might fare worse if he 
went on, and abruptly returned to Staten Island with his 
troops, leaving that part of the country in peace. 

Washington complimented Colonel Angell's Regiment in 
general orders, and wrote to Governor Greene, of Rhode 
Island, that letter of which yon are all, doubtless, familiar 
with, but which always tickles Rhode Islanders to repeat. 

"The gallant behavior of Colonel Angell's Regiment re- 
flects the highest honor upon the officers and men. Thej' 
disputed an important pass with so obstinate a bravery, that 
they lost upwards of forty men, killed and wounded and 
missing, before thej' gave np their ground to a vast superior- 
ity of force. The ready and ample manner in which your 
State has complied with the requisitions of the Committee, 
both as to men and supplies, entitles her to the thanks of 
the public, and affords the highest satisfaclion to your ex- 
cellency's most obedient servant, George Washington." 

In September, 1780, Colonel Angell's command crossed the 
river and camped near Tappan. 

Some entries in his diary about this time are of interest. 
September 12 he describes a visit of the chiefs of the Oneida 
nation. The whole army was ordered on parade, and every 
display made to impress the savages. He says " a tall Chief 
in magnificent dress, with a wonderful war bonnet of Eagles 

23 



[ 250 ] 

feathers, rode by the side of Washington, presenting a pic- 
ture of Savage dignity and nobility that elicited the admira- 
tion, and praise of the army." 

September 19th he writes : "I was appointed a member to 
settle a disi)ute between Baron Steuben, and Col. Hazen. 
The dispute was left to the seven oldest officers commanding 
the lines, from the seven States here in service. New Hamp- 
shire, Col. Cealery; Massachusetts, Gen. Glover; Rhode 
Island, Col. Angell ; (-onnecticut. Gen. Parsons; New York, 
Gen. Clinton ; New Jersey, Col. Dayton ; Pennsylvania, Gen. 
St. (Uair." 

"September 22d," he states, "they met at Gen. St. Clair's 
and settled the disi)ute to the satisfaction of both pai-ties." 

September 30th entry states : " I was officer of the day. 
Major Andre was tried, and condemned to be shot to-morrow 
morning." 

An entry of February 15th describes the rescue of Ensign 
John Rogers, who broke through the ice while crossing the 
ITvulson at West Point, with Colonels Angell and Greene. 
He concludes the nan-ation by saying: " lUit I would not 
have run tiie I'isk 1 did for all the State of New York, had it 
not been to save life." 

In July, 1781, the two Riu)de Islaiul regiments were con- 
solidated into one, and Colonel Angell retired from the 
service. This year he appears as one of the owners of a 
grant of land six miles square, in Lyndon, Vt., on the Pas- 
sumpsic river, and he minutely describes a long horseback 
ride out into Western New York, to locate some land. In 
May, 178-1, the General Assembly voted to the officers of his 
regiment one-half of the Mill lot, in Newport. 

Thus, briefly and ver^Muadequately, I have tried to present 
some of the patriotic services atid deeds of valor of Colonel 
Israel Angell, and of his famous old Second Rhode Island 
Regiment of the Continental line. It remains for some future 
historian to collect Colonel Angell's scattered diary and offi- 
cial correspondence, and mak(^ a complete narrative. 

During the Revolutionary period Rhode Island teemed 
with heroic men, from Josepli ]>ucklin, who shed the first 



[ 251 ] 

blood, when Lieutenant Duddingston, of the "Gaspee," inter- 
rupted the flight of his bullet, to Captain Stephen Olney, 
whose sword first flashed victorious above the ramjiarts of 
Yorktown. 

Group the heroes of our State as j^ou will, one quaint, 
sturd}', martial figure will attract your attention, and, as 
you study it, enchains your interest ; it stands out bold and 
picturesque from among such men as the gallant Greene, 
the eloquent Varnum, and the cultivated Hitchcock. It is 
so unique you say at once " that is Colonel Israel Angell." 

Hewed out of sturdy yeoman stock, single minded, calm, 
dispensing discipline with the lash, his fitness for the cam- 
paign and the camp seems to have been recognized from the 
outset. 

He was of medium height, light complexion, auburn hair 
surmounted by a wig, blue eyes, a strong Roman nose, and 
straight as a yardstick. Dignitied, earnest, and fearless, war 
seemed native to him, and we recognize the outcropping of 
some old Crusader ancestor. He seems to belong to some 
older type of warrior days; we should expect to find him 
fitted out with doublet, cuirass, and leather breeches, seeking 
fame and fortune in the camp of Wallenstein, or slashing at 
the white cockade with Cromwell's Roundheads. 

Wherever there was fighting to be done Colonel Angell's 
regiment seems to have been on hand ready to take part 
at the first command. Starting with little of that prestige 
which advanced so many, he became the friend of Washing- 
ton, and Lafayette, and Greene, and from each of the first 
two he received a medal. 

After returning from the service Colonel Angell varied his 
former occupations of farmei- and cooper by adding that of 
tavern keeper, not wishing to leave public life altogether. 
He afterwards moved over into Smithfield, where he died 
May 3d, 1832. 

His advances and attacks upon the feminine heart seem to 
have been as vigorous and successful as upon his red-coated 
enemies. The art of making war and love must have a deep 
hidden resemblance. Ho married three times, and as he 



[ 252 ] 

approached liis ninety-second year became engaged to a 
fourth daughter of Eve ; but the arch enemy, death, met and 
vanquished Colonel Israel and closed all engagements. 

He had seventeen children, eleven by his first wife and six 
by the second, and of the seventeen, thirteen reached matu- 
rity and eight became octogenarians. Rhode Island should 
be very proud of Colonel Israel Augell in many ways. 

Out on the South Scituate road, in Johnston, in a stony 
pasture, is the last resting-place of Colonel Israel Angell, 
with no inclosure to protect it from marauding man or beast. 
The bi'oken, prostrate tombstone is eloquent of neglect, and 
warns us that before many generations all traces of this his- 
toric grave will disappear. 

The State of Rhode Island preserves with religious care at 
her State House the battle-worn ensign of Colonel Angell's 
regiment. Should it not extend that same care to the grave of 
its fearless Colonel ? Or, if the State cares not, this Society 
might well make it an object for their consideration. 










ROYAL CHAPIX TAFT, 
President, 1897-1898. 



EIGHTH ANNUAL MEETING. 

February 22, 1898. 



^ ¥ ^^ IIP^ eighth annual meeting of the Rhode Island So- 

I ciet}^ of the Sons of the American Revolution is held 

I February 22, 1898, at the Cabinet of the Rhode Island 

Historical Society on Waterman street in Providence, 

at 12 o'clock, noon. 

President Royal C. Taft presents his address, as follows : 

Address of Royal C. Taft, President. 

In accordance with the requirements of section 5 of the 
By-Laws, I have the honor of submitting this address in writ- 
ing at the close of ray term of service. 

At the annual meeting of the Society, February 22d, 1897, 
certain amendments were submitted to the Constitution, 
which were ordered printed and sent to each member of the 
Society, together with such further amendments as might be 
suggested, with the view of their consideration at a future 
meeting of the Societ}-. 

In accordance with this vote, the amendments, with others 
suggested, were printed ; but the decision of the National 
Society at its annual meeting at Cleveland, Ohio, in April, 
to make another effort looking to a union of the two National 
Societies, and with the improved prospects that such a result 
might be accomplished, it was, after consultation with the 
chairman of the committee submitting the amendments, 
deemed wise to defer action until the result of the contem- 
plated union was determined. A vote was also passed at 



[ 254 ] 

that meeting authorizing the publication of a year-boolc, con- 
taining the Charter, Constitution, By-Laws, and a list of the 
members of the Societj^ Tliis has also been deferred from 
the same reason which has delayed action upon the consti- 
tutional amendments, as w^ell as from lack of funds in the 
treasury of the Society. 

This Society was represented at the annual meeting of the 
National Society at Cleveland, in April, by the President, Vice- 
President, and Compatriot James H. Tower. The proceed- 
ings of that meeting were fuUj^ reported by, and published 
in, "The Spirit of '70," and sent to each member of the State 
societies throughout the United States. 

So that I will only allude to the action of the Society in 
voting to adjourn to meet at Cincinnati, Ohio, on the 12th of 
October, with the intention of meeting in convention with the 
National Society of the Sons of the Revolution, who had ad- 
journed their annual meeting to meet on that day in the 
same city, and had invited the National Society of the 
Sons of tlie American Revolution to take simihir action. 
This Society was represented at its meeting in Cincinnati b}' 
its Secretary. The united action of the two Societies thus 
assembled resulted in tlie agreement upon a plan of union of 
the two National Societies, to be submitted to the several 
State organizations for their approval or rejection, and, when 
approved by a majority' of the State Societies of each National 
Society, was to become operative. 

This Society, at a special meeting held on December 8th, 
voted to approve the plan of union as agreed upon in the 
convention of the two Societies at Cincinnati. 

The plan of union of the two societies having failed of 
adoption by reason of not receiving the assent of a nm- 
jority of the State organizations of tlie two Societies — the 
vote being in favor by a large majority, 27 States, of the 
Societies of the Sons of the American Revolution, and a neg- 
ative vote of sixteen or seventeen of the State Societies of the 
Sons of the Revolution — as all prospect of a union of the 
two organizations is at an end, it is now in order to consider 
the proposed amendments to the Constitution of our Society 



[ 255 ] 

now awaiting action. The amendments are printed and will 
be distributed at this meeting. 

During the year the Bristol Chapter of the Sons of the 
American Revolution has been organized, being Chapter 
number one, as auxiliary to this Society. 

This Societj' observed the Fourth of July — our natal day — 
by services in the First Baptist Church, participated in by 
Compatriots Chaplain Denison with the invocation ; Arthur 
P. Sumner, who read the Declaration of Independence ; and 
Professor Alonzo Williams, wlio delivered the oration, upon 
patriotism. Tlie services were without expense to the Socie- 
tj^ being borne by the Committee having charge of the 
municipal celebration. I would suggest that a Committee 
be chosen to provide for similar services during the present 
year. 

There has been much activity during the year among the 
Societies in this State of the Daughters of the American 
Revolution, and members of this Society have attended some 
of their gatherings, notabl}- that of tlie Woonsocket Chapter, 
in June, at the dedication of a tablet upon Beacon Hill, com- 
memorative of its use for a beacon during the Revolution. 
Several members attended a meeting of Gaspee Chapter, at 
Gaspee Point, in August, and the Pi-esident attended, in 
October, at Newport, the annual meeting of the William 
Ellery Chapter of the Daughters of tlie American Revolution. 

A recommendation has been made that special effort be 
made by this Society to induce the descendants and relatives 
of Revolutionary soldiers, who are buried within this State, 
to take a more active interest in having markers placed 
upon their graves. 

Twenty-three have been added to the membership during 
the year, and three have died, viz.: Nathaniel G. Totten, of 
Providence ; Hon. William James Swinburne, of Newport ; 
and Christopher Lippitt, of Providence. The present mem- 
bership is two hundred and twenty-four. 

Christopher Rhodes, Secretary, presents the following report 
for the past year. 



[ 256 ] 

Report of the Secretary. 

Providence, R. I., February 22d, 1898. 

To the Rhode Island Society of the Sons of the American 
Revolution : 

In compliance with tlie provisions of Sec. of the By- 
Laws, the Secretary respectful)}- submits the following report, 
viz.: 

Amount collected for dues, etc., from February 10, 1897, to 
February 15, 1898, $427.00, which has been duly paid to the 
Treasurer and receipts received for the same. 

Twenty-three new members have been admitted during the 
past year. 

We have lost three members by death : Nathaniel G. 
Totten, Providence, died August 2, 1897 ; William James 
Swinburne, Newport, died September 19, 1897; Christopher 
Lippitt, Providence, died February 2, 1898. 

Total number on the rolls of the Society at the present 
time, 224. 

In accordance with a Resolution passed at the annual meet- 
ing, February 22, 1897, for observing the Fourth of July (no 
committee having been appointed), the President and Secre- 
tary undertook to carry out the ideas expressed in the Reso- 
lution, and made arrangements and obtained a promise of 
$50.00 from the Fourth of July Committee of the City Coun- 
cil, for the celebration held at the First Baptist Church in 
Providence on the Fourth of July last. The expenses in- 
curred by the Secretary amounted to $39.54, which was paid 
by said Committee. After the services at the church the 
President entertained the Compatriots who officiated, and the 
Board of jNIanagers present, at lunch at the Hope Club. I 
suggest that the Society' appoint a Fourth of July Committee 
to make arrangements for this year. 

The Secretary was appointed a Delegate to attend the 
meeting of the National Society of the Sons of the American 
Revolution, held at Cincinnati, Ohio, on the 12th of October 



[ 257 ] 

last. He attended the meeting (full particulars of which can 
be found in the "Spirit of '76" for November, 1897), and 
came away satisfied that the union of the two Societies would 
be a failure. 

Although "Union" was voted for by the representatives 
of both Societies at Cincinnati, the New York and Pennsyl- 
vania Societies and general officers of the Sons of the 
Revolution have since, I understand, influenced their State 
Societies to vote against " Union." 

Considering the high character of the officers and members 
of our great Society, we shall, without doubt, be able to stand 
alone. 

Olney Arnold, II, Treasurer, pi-esents the following report: 

Report op the Treasurer 

for the year ending February 33, 1898. 
Rhode Island Society of the Sons of the American Revolution : 

Receipts. 

Cash in bank February 22, 1807 $32 44 

Dues 400 00 

Admission fees 13 00 

Certificates 1 4 00 

Rosettes 00 

Dinner 00 

Interest on bank account 2 33 

From Committee on Marking Graves, to cover express 

charge on markers 1 00 

$462 77 
Ex^jenditures. 

Floral emblem for late Compatriot N. G. 

Totten $5 00 

Thirty markers for graves of Revolu- 
tionary^ soldiers 31 00 

33 



[ 258 ] 

Annual dues to National Society, 204 

members at 25c $51 00 

Decorating picture of Washington at 

annual dinner, February 22, 1897.. 4 00 

Certificates purchased from National 
Society, Sons of the American Re- 
volution 29 00 

Expenses of Mr. Christopher Rhodes as 
Delegate to represent our Society 
at meeting of National Society, Cin- 
cinnati, October 12, 1897 70 00 

Two hundred and fifty copies of Consti- 
tutions 4 25 

Printing, stationery, etc 105 50 

Miscellaneous expenses 4 90 

Cash in bank to credit of Society Feb- 
ruary 22, 1898 158 12 

$462 77 

All of which is respectfully submitted, 

Olney Arnold, II, 

Treasurer. 
Providence, February 22, 1898. 

Examined and found correct. W. A. Cranston, Auditor. 
Robert P. Brown, Registrar, presents the following report : 

Report of the Registrar. 

To the Rhode Island Society of the Sons of the American 
Revolution : 

The past year has seen a normal increase of our numbers 
of about eleven per cent. We started the year with 204 
living members ; I have registered twentj'-three new names, 
and three have died. We have now 235 names on our rolls ; 
ten have died, and one resigned, leaving our living member- 
ship 224. The additions to our ranks this year have been 



[ 259 ] 

exceptionally good men, and enter the Societ.y as descendants 
of Revolutionary patriots, holding the following positions : 

Brigadier-General 1 

Colonel 1 

Lieutenant-Colonel 1 

Captain 4 

Lieutenant 5 

Ensign 1 

Sergeant . 3 

Private 5 

Enlisting Officer 2 

The deaths this year were : Nathaniel G. Totten, died 
August 2, 1807 ; William J. Swinburne, died September 19, 
1897 ; Christopher Lippitt, died February 2, 1898. 

The interest in the Society does not seem to wane, as a 
large number of papers have been given out, which the 
applicants have not yet filled out and proved ; and if the 
character of our membership is carefully guarded, and the 
zeal of the members does not abate, we bid fair to become a 
large and influential Societ3^ 

In conjunction with the Committee appointed, I have gone 
through the papers i^roving right to membership, and have 
so far completed them that I feel sure no objection could be 
sustained to any member on our rolls. In fact, the Regis- 
ti-ar-General, Mr. Clarke, told one of our members that the 
papers of the Rhode Island Society were in better shape 
than those of any other State. The}^ are not perfect yet, but 
lack only a few particulars. I wish to give credit to our 
Secretarj^ whose interest and carefulness have contributed 
largely to this result. 

The Rhode Island Society of the Sons of the American 
Revolution wrote that their action in the matter of union 
would be governed by their New York Society, so I have had 
no occasion to suggest a mutual examination of proofs of 
membership. 

It is to be regretted that this year the summer celebration 



[ 200 ] 

at some historic spot has beeu omitted. In order to keep up 
the interest of our members, and show tlie community that 
the Society is alive to the objects for which it was created, 
it is necessary to meet more than once a year, and have a 
dinner by ourselves ; and these excursions to interestinjj: spots 
of Revolutionary' fame have proved most valuable to the 
Society, and should not be discontinued. 

The Committee on marking the Graves of Revolutionary 
Soldiers submits the following report. 

Report of Committee on Marking Graves of Revolu- 
tionary Soldiers. 

To the Society of the Sons of the American Revolution : 

The Committee on Marking the Graves of Revolutionary 
Soldiers beg leave to make the following report of their woi-k 
for the year past : 

At the last annual meeting of the Society the sum of thirty 
dollars was appropriated to mark the graves of soldiers in 
Providence. This has been done, and at present there is only 
one grave in this city at which the Society's marker has not 
been placed. This exception is the grave of Commodore 
Esek Hopkins. I have had moi-e or less correspondence on 
this matter, and it is deemed advisable not to place a marker 
at this grave until the monument to be erected to his memory 
has been placed in position. The number of graves marked 
in Providence is as follows : 

In Swan Point, 14; in the North Burial Ground, 28; in 
other burial places in the citj', ; in all, 48. 

At the last annual meeting of the Society' it was voted to 
ask the financial co-operation of the various Chapters of the 
Daughters of the American Revolution throughout the State. 
This was done through the Treasurer of the Society, and the 
following sums were received by him and turned over to the 
Secretary of this Committee. From the 



[ 261 ] 

Pawtucket Chapter $5 80 

General Natliauael Greene Chapter, East Green- 
wich 3 40 

Phebe Greene Ward Chapter, Westerly 1 70 

Woonsocket Chapter 4 10 

Narragansett Chapter 1 70 

William Ellery Chapter, Newport 2 50 



$19 20 

I understand that these subscriptions have all been suit- 
ably acknowledged by the Treasurer of this Society. 

The Bristol Chapter, instead of making a direct subscrip- 
tion to the funds of the Committee, offered to meet half the 
expense of marking the remaining eighteen graves in that 
town, amounting to nine dollars. In the absence of any 
specific authority, I felt justified in accepting their offer, and 
had sent to Bristol eighteen markers, for nine of which the 
Committee paid. I do not know whether these markers have 
been placed at the graves yet or not, but I was informed, a 
short time ago, that as soon as the weather and the state of 
the ground would permit, they would be placed. Tliis Com- 
mittee greatly appreciates the action of the Bristol Chapter, 
and wish their good example could be followed in othei' cities 
and towns throughout the State. 

In addition to the graves marked in Providence and Bris- 
tol, a number have been marked in different pai'ts of the 
State, and the maikers have generally been paid for by 
subscription from those interested in the graves marked. 
The record of the Committee of the graves in the State, and 
of those marked to date, is as follows : 

Total number of graves on list 323 

Total number at which marker has been placed. 180 

Leaving, to be marked, 143 (assuming that the graves in 
Bristol have been already marked). 

These 143 graves are distributed throughout the State as 
follows : 



[ 262 ] 

In the vicinity of Providence, including Paw- 
tucket and East Providence 7 

In Bristol (burial places not yet located) 5 

Glocester 2 

Johnston 2 

Cranston 1 

Newport 2 

Coventry 4 

Apponang 3 

Kingstown 20 

Woonsocket 4 

Scituate 10 

Sniithfield 2 

Little Comptou 3 

East Greenwich 18 

Centreville 1 

Charlestown 3 

Cumberland 11 

Foster 7 

Warren 11 

Westerly 9 

West Greenwich 5 

Warwick 5 

Exeter 2 

Of the 180 graves marked, forty-eiglit are in Providence, 
sixty-four in Harrington, and thirty-five in Bristol, tlie re- 
maining thirty-three being scattered throughout the State. 

Since the Committee was appointed it has received sub- 
scriptions as follows : 

Payment, at $1 each, for markers furnished. $41 00 
One extra subscription from member of this 

Society 3 00 

Subscriptions, from six Cliapters, Daughtei\s 

of tlie American Revolution 1!) 20 

$63 20 
Payments have been made as follows : 




GEOKCiE T1IOMA8 II ART 
Registuar, 1898-1899. 



[ 263 ] 



For markers $29 00 

For express charges 4 60 

Leaving a balance, cash on hand of 29 60 



$63 20 

The 180 markers have all been placed in position without 
expense to the Societ}^ and the Committee takes pleasure 
in having this opportunity of expressing their appreciation 
of the kindness of Mr. Edward D, Morris, without whose 
efforts this result would not have been possible. 

Respectful)}^ submitted for the Committee, 

Joseph Balch, 

Secretary. 
Providence, February 22, 1898. 

The officers elected for the ensuing year are : 



President, . 

Vice-President, 

Secretary, 

Treasurer, . 

Registrar, 

Historian, . 

Chajjlain, 

Poet, . 

Delegate at Large, 

Delegates, 

Alternates, . 



William Thomas Church Wardwell. 

Robert Perkins Brown. 

Christopher Rhodes. 

Arthur Preston Sumner. 

George Thomas Hart. 

Edward Field. 

Rev. Samuel Heber Webb. 

George Allen Buffum. 

John Carter Brown Woods. 

Lieutenant Charles Wheaton Abbot, 
Jr., Frederick Eugene Barker. 

William Henry Giles Temple, George 
CoRLis Nightingle, John Taggard 
Blodgett, John Edward Studley, 
Walter Boradel Vincent. 



Upon the conclusion of the business of the annual meeting 
the Society adjourns to the Club House of the Providence 
Athletic Association, at 6:30 o'clock, where the annual dinner 
is served. 



[ 264] 

Edward Field, Historian of the Societj^ delivers the follow- 
ing historical address : 

Address of Edward Field, Historian : " Isaac Barker's 

Signal." 

Among the eonnty folks who staj^ed on Rhode Island after 
the British had taken possession was Isaac Barker, a farmer 
of Middletown. His farm was situated on what is now known 
as Paradise avenue, about half a mile north from Sachuest 
or second beach, and one mile west of the Seaconnet river. 

Isaac Barker was a descendant, in the sixth generation, 
from James Barker, who was in Newport in 1(338, and was of 
the eighth generation from James Barker, of Harwich, Essex 
Count}^, England. For more than two hundred years this 
custom of naming the eldest son James was kept up in tlie 
Barker family. 

Nothing seems to have disturbed the tranquillity of his life 
on the island farm, nor interfered with his domestic happiness, 
until the month of August, 1778. To be sure, all communi- 
cation with the mainland had been cut off for a long time pre- 
vious to this, and he, no doubt, in common with others on 
the island, had experienced some inconvenience from being 
thus restrained; but it was not until nearly two years after 
the British troojis landed that he felt the full effect of the 
hardships which an invading army produced. At this time 
Barker was a young man twentj^-six j'ears old, with a family 
consisting of a wife and one child — an infant daughter. 

During the time the British forces were in possession of the 
territory about him. Barker had managed, b}' great tact, to con- 
vey the impression to the enemy that he was a Tory, and their 
faith in him, as a friend to the king, was therefore well estab- 
lished. This apparent loj'alty to the English crown had in- 
fluenced the officers to treat him in a most friendl}^ and 
coui'teous manner. Whether this pretended friendship for 
the Britisli ci'own was the first step in a well concealed and 
deep laid plot, the sequel plainly tells. 

In August, 1778, one of the British cavaby regiments took 




REV. SAMUEL HEBER AVEBB, 
Chaplain, 1894-1895, 1896-1897, 1898-1899. 



[ 265 ] 

up its station not far from the Barker homestead, and the 
commanding officers made their headquarters at Barker's 
house. Instead of taking exceptions to this invasion of his 
household, Barker, on the other hand, perfectly in keeping 
with his pretended Tor\dsm, at once became on the most 
friendly terms with the British colonel, catering to his wants 
with great assiduit}'. He lost no opportunity in showing him 
little kindnesses, even to the extent of supplying his table 
with j)oultry and other choice things. All of this had its 
effect, so that before long they were on the best of terms. 
The colonel reposed the greatest confidence in his host, and 
so comi^letely impressed was this officer with Barker's loyalty 
to the king, that he gave him a pass to go in and out of the 
British camp. But this was not all ; he was even permitted 
to visit the American camp, instigated thereto by the colonel 
for the purpose of obtaining such information as he could 
from the " rebels." Barker used all this freedom with great 
caution and prudence, but the advantages attained were of 
far more importance to these so-called " rebels " than they 
were to this officer who had sent him. 

A short distance from the homestead farm Barker owned 
another to which he had given the name " Paradise " farm, 
and it is to-day known by that name. On this latter farm 
there is a high ridge or range of peculiar conglomerate rock, 
running north and south, from the top of which an extensive 
view of more than twenty miles can be had east, south, and 
west. These rocky heights are known as Paradise Rocks, 
and during the summer season are much resorted to by the 
people of Newport to enjoy the beautiful view of the ocean 
and drink in the invigorating salt air. Over these rocks run 
stone walls, and in one spot a depression in the summit of 
this ridge forms a natural pass for the cattle and farm wag- 
gons to reach the fertile fields lying beyond to the eastward. 
In this pass farmer Barker had built a bar-way, and near this 
opening was a stake carelessly laid against the wall, and a 
" crotch " probablj' at the top of one of the sides to this bar- 
way. 

So entirely oblivious was the British colonel to any un- 

34 



[ 266 ] 

friendlj'^ act on the part of farmer Barker that he had paid 
no attention to his movements about the farm. If the colonel 
had been at all suspicious he would have noticed that Barker 
appeared particularly attentive to this particular bar-way, 
and seemed to find great difficulty in placing the bars and 
stake in a position which satisfied him for any great length 
of time ; but the frequent trips to the hilltop and the careful 
adjustment of these bars passed unnoticed. 

In the month of August, 1778, occurred Sullivan's expedi- 
tion against Rhode Island ; and the American army drove the 
enemy within his lines at Newport, and occupied the outlying 
country for some days, retreating, finally, from tlie island on 
the night of the twenty-ninth. 

Not long after this. Colonel Sherburne, in command of one of 
the regiments guarding the eastern mainland shore, dispatched 
Lieutenant Seth Chapin, with a small force, to the town of 
Little Compton, on the east side of the Seaconnet river. Upon 
his arrival at the point to which he had been assigned. Lieu- 
tenant Chapin took up a j)osition nearlj' opposite to the 
Barker homestead, ostensibly for the purpose of guarding 
the shore. If it had been i)ossible for the British colonel to 
have witnessed the manoeuvres of Lieutenant Chapin, on 
the heights across the river, he would have noticed a man 
wonderfully intent on watching, with a glass, every move 
and act of Barker's, as he carefully adjusted the bars at the 
opening in the pass over the rocks. " When Bai-ker moved 
the stake in a certain direction, it had a significant meaning ; 
and when he moved the crotch and stake, it had another ; 
every move had a distinct meaning, and there were as many 
as a dozen dilferent changes, each of which had a meaning." 

But this was not all. About a mile from the house was 
North Point, jutting out into the Seaconnet ; near the end of 
the point there was a ledge of rocks, in which was a half 
concealed crevice, or hole. 

Barker was allowed great fi-eedom about the farm, both 
night and day ; in fact, he went and came as tliough there 
was no army anywhere about his place. It was, therefore, 
possible for him to prepare a statement regarding the affairs 



[ 267 ] 

on the island, and, in the evening, casually wander off towards 
the rocks at the point, and, if unobserved, place this commu- 
nication in this crevice, and return home. Great caution, how- 
ever, had to be exercised by him in this part of his work, for 
a guard was usually on the shore. In the morning, after 
having placed his letter in this improvised post-ofiBce, he 
would go the hilltop, and arrange the stake and the bars in a 
way that would signify to Chapin that a letter was awaiting 
him, and that night, under cover of darkness, Chapin would 
silently cross over in a boat, secure the precious document, 
and return to his post, and, ere many hours, the goings on in 
the heart of the British camp would be spread before Gen- 
eral Cornell, the commander at the Tiverton headquarters, 
and often transmitted immediately to General Gates, at Prov- 
idence, then commanding the Rhode Island department. 

One night this telegraph and post-office department came 
near being terminated, and the operator at the Rhode Island 
end was in imminent danger of losing his life; for such would 
have been his fate had his actions been discovered. 

So successful had his work been carried on that, like many 
others engaged in hazardous undertakings. Barker became 
careless, and, one night, as he was returning from the post- 
office, he was overtaken by two light horsemen, halted, and a 
pass, or the countersign, demanded ; unfortunately lie had 
neither, but he told such a plausible story that instead of 
being taken a prisoner to the guard-house, for the guards 
doubtless knew him, he prevailed ujjon them to take him to 
his house. On their arrival he explained his wanderings to 
the colonel in a manner perfectly satisfactory to him, and he 
was released. 

Day after day, month in and month out, the news of the 
movements of the British so far as they came to Barker's 
ears, and he was in a position to learn considerable, was sig- 
nalled across the river and as regularly communicated to the 
American camp. 

For a long time nothing came to the attention of the British 
that their movements were so well known ; but at last the 
enemy awoke to the fact that by some means intelligence of 



[ 208 ] 

their acts was being communicated to the American army, 
and the forces on the island were enjoined to use the greatest 
efforts to apprehend the person who was furnishing this in- 
formation. 

One day the colonel, as he was seated at dinner, called 
Barker into the room. As he entered the colonel said : 
" Barker, there is a traitor or spy among us — there is no mis- 
take. Not a single thing transpires on this island but the 
rebels know all about it almost as soon as we ourselves. 
This traitor must be found out. Let me but see him and the 
rascal shall soon go into eternity ! " 

In telling the story, years after, Barker said it required all 
his strength of nerve to conceal his feelings. He knew the 
" rascal " was there in the presence of the colonel, but with 
strong language he coincided with him and said : " Yes, the 
traitor ought to be hung," and promised to use his efforts to 
see that he was caught. " After that," said Barker, " I was 
more of a Tory than ever." 

This little episode, no doubt, caused him to exercise the 
greatest vigilance in the management of his signal station, 
but it does not appear to have caused him to relinquish his 
efforts to do what he could for the cause of liberty. For 
fourteen months, alone in the heart of the British camp, 
without the encouragement of anyone save the watchful ej'e 
of Lieutenant Chapin, with the penalty of death staring liim 
in the face should his acts be discovered, he continued to 
transmit messages to the American army by this crude 
method, and not until the enemy finally withdrew from the 
island did he cease in this hazardous and voluntary service. 

Such courage and display of patriotism shows the high 
character of Isaac Barker. He was a young man when he 
braved the dangers of a spy in the British camp, but the 
same noble qualities followed him through life. In his own 
town he was a person of great influence, fearless in the dis- 
charge of his duties, and was looked up to and admired by 
his neighboi's and townsmen. In 1794, and for six years at 
irregular intervals thereafter, he was elected, from the town 
of Middletown, a representative to the General Assembly of 



[ 269 ] 

the State (Deputy it was called in those daj^s), and for ten years 
was an honored and influential member of the Town Council. 
He was an energetic farmer, and devoted much time and 
study to the raising of silk-worms, being one of the first to 
enter into this industry ; his results were fairly successful, 
and he had an entire suit of clothing made from silk of his 
own raising. Some of the mulberry trees planted by him 
during this period are still to be seen in the very pass on 
Paradise Rocks, where were situated the bars and " crotch " 
of the crude signal station ; many more were blown down in 
the great gales of 1815 and 1809. 

In 1833, at the age of eighty-one, Barker was prevailed 
upon to apply to the National Government for a pension, 
based upon the services rendered during the war by his sig- 
nals. " It was not a military service, strictly speaking," says 
Judge Cowell, who was his attorney ; but it was thought it 
came within the intention of the act providing pensions for 
service in the war ; from his declaration and from other 
statements which he made at the time, most of this story has 
been drawn. This petition was presented in the first session 
of the Twenty-third Congress. It was referred to the Com- 
mittee on Revolutionary Pensions, and by that Committee 
favorably reported; but when it came before the House it 
was referred to the Committee of the Whole, and no action 
was taken during the session. In the second session of the 
the same Congress the bill for a pension was favorably re- 
ported, but action thereon was postponed. 

Between this time and the first session of the Twenty- 
fourth Congress Barker died, and his widow renewed this 
petition for a pension on account of her late husband's ser- 
vices. This bill was before both Houses in both sessions of 
the Twenty-fourth and Twenty-fifth Congress, and at the 
first session of the Twenty-sixth Congress was again favor- 
ably reported and passed the House, but when it reached 
the Senate was there "indefinitely postponed," and thus 
ended the efforts to secure a recognition of the services 
which this old patriot had rendered during those days of 
trouble. The report which was made, recommending that it 



[ 270 ] 

receive recognition on the part of the government, contains 
all the material facts relating to this peculiar service, and as 
the matter was the subject of careful and serious inquiry, it 
lends additional interest to the story of Isaac Barker's sig- 
nal. The report was made February 4, 1834, by the Com- 
mittee on Revolutionary Pensions, and was as follows : 

"That the petitioner, in his declaration, deposes that in 
December, 1777, the British took possession of Rhode Island : 
The deponent lived on his farm, about 3| miles from New- 
port, in Rhode Island. 

Immediately after the invasion of the British all commu- 
nication with the main land was cut off, and the most vigor- 
ous means used to prevent the inhabitants from giving anj^ 
intelligence of the movements of their troops. 

In April or May a regiment of the army was stationed near 
the farm of the petitioner ; that he was permitted to remain 
on his farm, and nuiintained a constant communication with 
the American army, on the main land, by means of signals 
mutually agreed upon between him and Lieutenant Chapin, 
a service which was acknowledged by General Gates to have 
been of great importance, and that he continued in this 
service fourteen months, from August, 1778, without inter- 
mission. 

This applicant's farm was about a mile from the shore, 
and in plain sight of the American army, stationed on the 
eastern shore of Narragansett Bay, whereby he was enabled 
to give almost daily intelligence of what was passing in the 
British cami^. Had he been discovered he would have lost 
his life. 

He volunteered under Lieutenant Chapin and General 
Gates, who was succeeded by General Sullivan ; is 81 years 
of age, has no documentary evidence, but ofl'ers the evidence 
of Gideon Barker, Nicholas Ward, and the Hon. D. J. Pearce, 
who severally testify that they have long heard of the service 
of Isaac Barker as stated by him ; that he is a man of truth 
and respectability, and they have no doubt of the services 
having been performed by him as he has related it. 

The petitioner also adduced the evidence of Hezekiah 
Barker, a native of Middletown, in Rhode Island, but now 
of Pomfret, in the State of New York, aged 70 years, who 
testifies that from his earliest recollections he has been ac- 
quainted with Isaac Barker, of Middletown, aforesaid ; that 
while the British had possession of Rhode Island, in the war 
of the Revolution, the said Isaac and this deponent served 



[ 271 J 

together in the said war, uucler the direction and orders of 
General Sullivan ; and this deponent further says that to his 
certain knowledge the said Isaac did perform at least four- 
teen months of faithful service, under the direction and orders 
of General Sullivan as aforesaid: 

The Committee are of opinion that the petitioner is enti- 
tled to relief, and report a bill accordingly, for fourteen 
months service as a private soldier," 

Accompanying his petition in the first instance was a dia- 
gram showing the location of the bar-way and stake which 
formed a part of the signal station, as well as the lay of the 
ground. In the winter of 1895 I had a search made among 
the records of Congress and in the Pension Bureau, but no 
trace of it could be found. 

Isaac Barker died in Middletown on the seventh of Sep- 
tember, 1834, at the ripe old age of 82 years, and his body 
was laid away in the little family God's-acre on his farm. 
In 1870 his remains, with those of his immediate family, 
were removed to the cemetery in Middletown. 

The Barker homestead, with its historic memories, is yet 
standing, on Paradise avenue, in Middletown. It is still in a 
good state of preservation, and is still occupied by the grand- 
children of this Revolutionary hero. The mossy stone wall, 
too, where this old patriot so often stood in the midst of 
danger, may yet be seen with a glass from the green hills of 
Little Comi)ton. 

It is unfortunate that a story so thrilling, based on a service 
so unique, with abundant i)roof of its performance, should 
have been so transformed and misconstrued as that which 
has recentlj' been published in a volume devoted to the heroic 
acts of the men and women of the Revolution, wherein the 
service is reported to have been performed by Barker's wife, 
and the method of signalling by the family washing, hung 
on a clothes-line. It would have been an easy task for the 
author to have ascertained the facts, and not perpetuated 
such an idle tale as an historical fact. 

George Allen Bufifuui, Poet of the Society, reads the follow- 
ing, " A Group of Sonnets." 



[ 272 ] 

The Ne'er-do-Weel. 

He was a ne'er-do-weel. His wealthier kin 

Oft helped him, but he never could succeed. 

The war 'gainst Britain came, and worldly greed 

Kept them all back. He joined the martial din, 

And did his best that his dear land might win. 

It won, but he did suffer long and bleed ; 

Living a life of sore, dependent need ; 

Which ill this hard world's eye is worse than sin. 

A hundred years roll by, and where do Sons 

And Daughters of the Revolution seek 

For patriot lineage bj^ ancestral right ? 

From those whose lives were smooth as water runs? 

No ! from the ne'er-do-weel ; whose merit meek 

Alone gives title to the blue and white. 

With Clearer Sight. 

I never saw so clearly the foul stain 
That traitor Arnold on our history cast 
By base betraj^al of that vantage vast, 
Which brave Burgoyne battled for in vain. 
As when I learned my great-grandsire had lain 
In West Point barracks, when all stood aghast. 
With his own eyes I seemed to see the past, 
And with his patriot heart to feel the pain, 
" The Revolution's Sous," the critic says, 
" Somebodies of old nobodies would make." 
He would know better could he feel their sway, 
And gain clear vision of those glorious daj^s. 
If they could zeal in men like him awake. 
They'd something make of nobodies to-day. 

Nathanael Greene. 

" Born in Rhode Island," is the inscription writ 
On the memorial in a Southern town. 
Of him who brought Cornwallis' jjroud fame down 
By the keen vigor of his native wit ; 




GEORGE ALLEN BUFFUM, 
Poet, 



[ 273 ] 

Who forged success where others proved unfit, 
And a despairing land with hope did crown, 
Filling the South with his well-won renown, 
While Pickens, Morgan, Marion, shared in it. 
And has our little State, which gave him birth. 
Forgetting Washington's desire that he 
Might fill his place, should dire fate intervene. 
Failed for a hundred years to own his worth. 
By raising here his form where all might see 
Her most illustrious Son, Nathanael Greene? 

Compatriot William W. Ellsworth, of the Emj)ire State 
Society, Sons of the American Revolution, delivers an ad- 
dress : " From Lexington to Yorktown," illustrated on can- 
vas, with incidents and scenes of the Revolution. 



NINTH ANNUAL MEETING. 

February 22, 1899. 



THE ninth annual meeting of the Rhode Island So- 
ciety of the Sons of the American Revolution is 
held February 22, 1809, at the Cabinet of the Rhode 
Island Historical Society, on Waterman street, in 
Providence, at 12 o'clock noon. 

President William Thomas Church Wardwell being ab- 
sent in Europe, Vice-President Robert Perkins Brown pre- 
sents and reads the address of the President. 

Address of William T. C. Wardwell, President. 

Venice, February 5, 1899. 

Compatriots : — As the time draws near for our annual 
meeting my mind goes back to dear old America, and I 
realize more fully the debt of gratitude we owe our fore- 
fathers for winning such a government as we possess. My 
first official act was presiding at the annual dinner, held at 
the Athletic Club rooms on February 22d last. Not having 
the names of the guests with me here, I am unable to say as 
much as I would wish to in regard to the evening's exercises. 
I think that the Compatriots present will agree with me when 
I sa}^ that the occasion was both an agreeable and profitable 
one. 

A meeting of the Board of Managers was held on April 
20, when it was voted to call a special meeting of the Society 
on May 17th, at the rooms of the Rhode Island Historical 




AVILLIAM THOMAS CIIURC'II WAKDWELL, 
President, 1898-1899. 



[ 275 ] 

Society, to take action ou proposed amendments to the Con- 
stitution and By-Laws. It was also voted that a Committee 
of three members of the Society be appointed hy the Presi- 
dent for the pnrpose of marking historic houses in Rhode 
Island associated with the war of the American Revolution, 
and that said Committee were authorized to make all ar- 
rangements relating thereto, and to report their doings from 
time to time to the Board of Managers ; and for this purpose 
the sum of $50 was appropriated from the funds of the 
Society. The members of the Committee were Compatriots 
Edward Field, Robert P. Brown, and John P. Reynolds. The 
Committee appointed for the appropriate celebration of the 
4th of Julj' were unable to make any arrangements with the 
Marine Society, who had engaged the First Baptist Church, 
and, therefore, no meeting of this Society was held on that 
day. The Declaration of Independence was read, however, 
bj^ the Marine Society, on that occasion. A resolution of 
thanks was extended to the Committee on the Annual Din- 
ner, and also to the Hon. Royal C. Taft, ex-President of this 
Society, for the generous assistance rendered by him towards 
securing the services of Compatriot W. W. Ellsworth, Esq., 
who delivered the instructive lecture on "Ijcxington to York- 
town," at the annual dinner. 

A meeting of the Society was held on May 17 to take 
action on the proposed amendment to the Constitution and 
By-Laws. After discussion, the whole matter was referred 
to the next annual meeting of the Society' for action. 

At a special meeting, held on June 3d, the Board of Man- 
agers voted that the invitation of the Bristol Chapter, to 
visit them at Bristol on June 17th, be accepted ; and Com- 
patriot Robert P. Brown was requested to make arrange- 
ment for the transportation of the members. 

A special meeting of the Board of Managers was called 
for June 9. At the meeting it was unanimously voted to 
present a sword and belt to Compatriot Colonel Charles 
Wheaton Abbot, Jr., First Rhode Island Volunteers, the 
expense of the same not to exceed the sum of $50, and the 
Pi-esident was authorized to make all the arrangements con- 



[ 276 ] 

nected with the affair. The Pi-esident was also directed to 
place this matter before this Society for ratification at its 
next meeting. 

June 14th, agreeable to an invitation from the President 
of the Society of C^olonial Dames, I attended a meeting of 
that body at the home of its President, Halidon Hall, New- 
port, where a speech was delivered by Charles Dudley War- 
ner, Esq., appropriate to the occasion and the daj^ After the 
speech the companj^ present were entertained at a luncheon, 
given in the usual happy manner, by the hostess, Mrs. 
Mason, the President of the Rhode Island Society of Co- 
lonial Dames. 

On June 17th the Society, according to the arrangements 
made by its Committee, Compatriot Brown, took the steamer 
"Awashonks" for Bristol, where they were entertained by 
the Bristol Chapter, assisted by the ladies of Bristol Chap- 
ters of the Daughters of the American Revolution, to a 
dinner at the De Wolf lun. After speeches by various mem- 
bers present, the sword to be presented to Compatriot Colonel 
Abbot was brought before the meeting, when an address 
of presentation was made by Compatriot Robert P. Brown. 
After the address the Compatriots in a body proceeded to 
the residence of John P. Rejniolds, Esq., where they were en- 
tertained in the usual hospitable manner of Compatriot 
Rejniolds and his estimable wife. The house of Mr. Rey- 
nolds is one of the oldest houses in Bristol, and an historic 
one, it being at one time during the American Revolution 
the residing place of General Lafayette. The Committee 
appointed by this Society to mark historic places then pro- 
ceeded with appropriate ceremonies to do their duty, the 
principal speech of the occasion being made by Compatriot 
Professor Wilfred H. Munro, of Brown University. After 
this ceremony the Compatriots returned to the town, where 
they took the steamer to Providence, well pleased with their 
day's outing. 

A meeting of the Board of Managers was held Julj' 20 ; 
this being a regular meeting, three members were admitted. 
The President reports that the sword and belt was duly 



[ 277 ] 

presented to Compatriot Colonel C. W. Abbot, Jr., in be- 
half of the Society, by Compatriot Lieutenant Artliiir B. 
Spink, an officer of the regiment at Camp Alger, Virginia, 
on Jnne 25, 1898, accompanied by an engraved copy of the 
address of presentation for this Society. The President also 
reports that he had received a letter of acceptance from 
Colonel Abbot acknowledging the gift. The Board voted 
that a copy of the address and the letter of acceptance be 
placed upon the records of the Board. A resolution was 
passed for the government of the present Board in relation 
to the admission of new members, being the same passed by 
the Board of Managers, February 1-t, 1894, viz.: That as a 
guide to the Board of Managers in admitting new members, 
the Secretary is instructed to make known to all members of 
the Society all applications for membership at least ten days 
before the meeting of the Board when such applications shall 
be acted upon, and all members are requested to make known 
any reason for the non-acceptance of any application ; such 
communication to be regarded as strictly confidential, and 
that said vote be recommended to the Society to be inserted 
in the Bj^-Laws. 

A special meeting of the Board of Managers was held Sep- 
tember 6, to take into consideration the advisabilitj^ of appro- 
priating from the funds of the Society an amount of money 
for the relief of the sick and wounded soldiers of the late 
war. After discussion it was voted that the sum of $100 be 
paid, by the Treasurer, to the Rhode Island Sanitary and 
Relief Association, for that purpose. 

It was my intention to give a detailed account of the an- 
nual meeting of the National Society, held in Morristown, 
New Jersey, in April ; but, not having the necessary infoi-ma- 
tion here, I am unable to do so. The same officers, with a 
few exceptions, were re-elected, and those who attended the 
meeting were well rewarded for their attendance. 

The sum of money which the Board of Managers appi-o- 
priated for the sword for Colonel Abbot, as well as the 
amount given for the relief of the sick and wounded soldiers 
of the late war, although a large sum for the Board of Man- 



[ 278 ] 

agers to expend, still they felt, after consultation with many 
members of the Society, and there not being time to call a 
special meeting of the Society, that it was a proper thing for 
them to do, not only in the interest of the Societj^, but to aid 
those who were upholding our countr3"'s honor. We all re- 
member the condition of our soldiers at that time, and I 
have no doubt but that the Societj' will endorse the action 
of the Board. 

Although separated by so many thousand miles, my heart 
goes out to the Compatriots of Rhode Island, and wishing 
them all the blessings which a country governed like ours 
can give. 

Vice-President Brown, who has been acting President dur- 
ing the absence of the President, presents the following : 

Address op Robert P. Brown, Vice-President, 

In looking back over the history of our Society the past 
year, I have tried to select from many minor incidents such 
affairs as may be worthy of record. 

On April 30 the ninth session of the Continental Congress 
of the Sons of the American Revolution was convened at 
Morristown, N. J. Your President and I were in attendance 
at both sessions, and took great pleasure in meeting and 
hearing the prominent members of our Society. We met at 
the Lafayette rooms, adjoining Washington's headquarters, 
and the New Jersey Society favored the delegates with a 
lunch, between sessions, and an elaborate banquet in the 
evening. 

Morristown, with its historic associations, with its elegant 
villas, and their extensive undulating lawns, with its Morris 
County Golf and Athletic Grounds, and its refined societj^ 
seemed an ideal place for leisure hours. At this Congress 
an announcement was made of a change in our Society colors, 
buff being added to distinguish our button from that of the 
Society of the Cincinnati. Tlie Registrar-General reported 
the actual membership !»,1-H, and an average increase of 



[ 279 ] 

about 1,000 per year. There are thirtj^-eight Societies, and 
the largest is Massachusetts, with 1,300 members. 

It was worth the trouble of going to Morristown just to 
have the pleasure of meeting old John Whitehead, the Nestor 
of the New Jersey Society. President Wardwell and I took 
occasion to call on General George S. Greene, at his home, in 
Morristown. Although in his 97th year, he was devoting his 
entire time to the study of genealog3^ His recent death 
recalls our delightful visit, and brings again to mind his 
great services to his country, at Gettysburg, where the valor 
and stubborn resistance of General Greene's brigade saved 
our right wing, and, possibly, the battle. 

Pursuant to a vote passed at the last annual meeting of 
the Society, the Board of Managers had a copy of the pro- 
posed amended Constitution and By-Laws sent to each mem- 
ber of the Society, and called a special meeting for their 
consideration, on May 17th. At this meeting the Committee 
presented two reports ; the majority report, signed by Com- 
patriots Eaton, Davis, and Stone ; and a minority report, 
signed by Compatriot Rhodes, Compatriot Field not signing 
either.' The matter in the new Constitution and By-Laws 
was amended so as to meet unanimous approval ; but decided 
objections were made to calling our Charter the Constitu- 
tion, and placing everything else under the head of By-Laws. 
As the opposition of the Committee's suggestion seemed 
strong, it was deemed unwise to take a decisive vote under 
the circumstances, and the final vote was postponed until 
this annual meeting, and will come uj) under the head of 
"unfinished business." 

On the 17th of June, the anniversary of the battle of 
Bunker Hill was celebrated by an outing at Bristol. Our 
Bristol Chapter, with great courtesy, entertained the Society 
by an elaborate banquet at the De Wolf Inn, afterward 
taking the members to inspect the always interesting home of 
Compatriot John Post Reynolds, which was Lafayette's head- 
quarters. The trip down on the "Awashonks," the perfect 

» Mr. Field resigned, as a member of the Committee, in 1897. 



[ 280 ] 

day, the Bristol ladies, and the kindness of our hosts, made 
the whole affair an ideal summer excursion. At the banquet 
in Bristol, the Rhode Island Society of the Sons of the Amer- 
ican Revolution presented to Compatriot Abbot, Colonel of 
the First Rhode Island Regiment, an elegant dress sword and 
belt ; an appropriate address was made and afterward en- 
grossed and forwarded with the sword to Colonel Abbot in 
the field. 

A few months later, when the sad story of suffering and 
neglect came from Camp Wyckoff, the Society, allowing local 
plans to wait, devoted its means to the care of our fever- 
stricken troops from Santiago, and gave one hundred dollars 
to the Sanitary and Relief Fund, most of which, I under- 
stand, was distributed by the Red Cross Society. 

Thus, in the past year, the Society has not only been orna- 
mental but useful. Yet our numbers have increased but 
little, only twelve new names appearing on our rolls, which 
is about one-half of our normal increase. The absorbing in- 
terest in the Spanish War is largely accountable for this. 
With a living membership of 234, with no divisions in our 
ranks, with no politics or undue influence in our manage- 
ment, we certainl}^ should be proud of our Society and seek 
to bring the best into its membership. It is hoped that in 
the coming year several affairs of interest to the Society may 
take place, and that a new enthusiasm for our Society may 
be enkindled. 

Christopher Rhodes, Secretary, presents his report for the 
past year : 

Report of the Secretary. 

Providence, R. I., February 22, 1899. 

To the Rhode Island Society of the Sons of the Amej'ican 
Revolution : 

In compliance with the provisions of section 6 of the By- 
Laws, the Secretary respectfully submits the following report, 
viz.: 



[ 281 ] ■ 

Amount collected for dues, etc., from Februarj^ 1-5, 1898, to 
February 1, 1899, $448. 

Twelve new members liave been admitted during tlie past 
year. 

We have lost one member by death — Henry Clay Arm- 
strong, of Providence, who died January 5, 1899. 

Compatriot George Heniy Wightman has been transferred 
to the Pennsylvania Society of the Sons of the American 
Revolution, to date from February 9, 1899. 

Total number on the rolls, 234. 

As the Fourth of July Committee was unable to obtain the 
First Baptist Meeting House for the celebration of last Inde- 
pendence Da}^ no services were held by the Society on that 
day. The Marine Society of Providence, who had the church 
on that day, had the Declaration of Independence read. 

I would recommend that the Society invite Gaspee Chapter 
of the Daughters of the American Revolution of Rhode Island 
to apj)oint a Committee of three members to unite with the 
Committee appointed bj^ our Society, to arrange for a proper 
celebration of next Independence Day, in the First Baptist 
Meeting House in this city. Agreeable to a request from the 
National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, the 
Secretary has (compiled a list of the members of this Society 
who served in the war with Spain, which information may be 
interesting to the members present : 

Charles Wheaton Abbot — Lieutenant, Twelfth United 
States Infantry ; noiv Colonel, First Rhode Island Volun- 
teers, stationed at Camp Fornance, Columbia, S. C. 

Jo]i7i Russell Bartleit — Captain, United States Navy, re- 
tired ; was in charge of the Intelligence Bureau, United 
States Navy, and also in charge of Auxiliary Naval Force, 
United States Navy. 

William Henry Bisbee — Lieutenant-Colonel, Seventeenth 
United States Infantrj' Regiment, now at Santiago, Cuba. 

Charles Libbeus Hodges — Captain, Twenty-fifth United 
States Infantry; served with his Regiment at Santiago, Cuba ; 
now at Fort Logan, Col. 

36 



[ ^^^ ] 

Lester Seneca Hill— Major and Surgeon of the First Rhode 
Island Volunteers, with the Regiment. 

Eowland Rodman Robitison — Lieutenant and Assistant 
Surgeon, First Rhode Island Volunteers, with the Regiment. 

Arthur Bradford Spink — Lieutenant, Companj' A, First 
Rhode Island Volunteers ; resigned. 

Charles Foster Tillinghast — Captain of Company A, First 
Rhode Island Volunteers, with the Regiment. 

Lewis Fairbrotlier Burrough — appointed from the Rhode 
Island Naval Reserve ; Ensign ; served on ship at Newport, 
and on the "Manhattan" and United States cruiser " Mar- 
cellus ; " discharged when auxiliary fleet was broken up. 

George Metcalf i>a??ie/s— Lieutenant, LTnited States Rev- 
enue Service ; served on the " Manning," near Cuba. 

Charles Ediuard Vere Kennon — Contract Surgeon, with 
rank of Acting First Lieutenant ; assisted in organizing the 
Sternberg Field Hospital, at Camp Thomas, Chickamauga, 
and served there after the hospital was running. 

Respectfulh^ submitted, 

Christopher Rhodes, 

Secretary. 

Arthur Preston Sumner, Treasurer, presents his report, as 
follows : 

Report of the Treasurer 

for the gear ending Febrnarg 22, 1809. 

Rece ijtts. 

Cash in Industrial Tiiist Co., Feb. l'i>, 1S!)S $l,5,S 12 

Dues :j!»8 00 

Admission fees 18 00 

Rosettes 10 00 

Certificates 22 00 

Interest on deposits 3 2G 

$009 38 




ARTHUR PRESTON SUMNER, 
Treasurru. 



[ 283 ] 

Expeiiditures. 

Annual dues to National Society, S. A.R., 

224 members, at 25 cents each $50 00 

Certificates purchased from National So- 
ciety, S. A. R 13 00 

Printing, stationery, binding, engraving, 

&c 100 83 

Christopher Rhodes, Secretary, ex- 
penses 11 22 

Floral tribute for late Compatriot W. 

J. Swinburne 5 00 

Sword, belt, and case, for Compatriot 

Colonel Charles W. Abbot, Jr 43 50 

Engrossing address to Compatriot Ab- 
bot, and expressage on sword 40 

Treasurer of Rhode Island Sanitary and 

Relief Association 100 00 

Rosettes, 50, at 20 cents 10 00 

A. P. Sumner, Treasurer, stamps for 

checks 04 

$345 99 
Cash in Industrial Trust Co., Feb. 22, 

1899 203 39 

■ $009 38 

Respectfulh^ submitted, 

Arthur P. Sumner, 

Treasurer. 
Providence, February 22, 1899. 

Accounts and vouchers examined, and found correct. 

John T. Blodgett, Auditor. 
February 20, 1899. 



[ 284 ] 

George Thomas Hart, Registrar, presents his report as 
follows : 

Report of the Registrar. 

Providence, R. I., February 22, 1899. 

To the Rhode Island Societij of the Sons of the American 
RevoJution : 

Membership, year 189S-1809. 

Active enrollment, Feb. 22, 1S98 224 

Enrolled during year 8 

Dimitted to Pennsylvania Society, No. 1(J!) 1 

Deaths, No. 231 1 

Active enrollment, Feb. 22, 1899 230 

Accepted by Board of Managers, Feb. 21, 1899, 

but not enrolled 4 

Dimitted to Pennsjdvania State Society, George Henry 
Wightman, No. 169. Accepted Nov. 25, 1895; Dimitted 
Feb. 9, 1899. 

Deaths, Henry Clay Armstrong, No. 231. Accepted Feb. 
19, 1898 ; died, Providence, Jan. 5, 1899. 

Meinbership. 

The eight members enrolled during the yenv descended 
from twelve patriot ancestors, acting in positions as follows : 

Signer of Declaration of Independence ] 

Commander-in-C'hief, American nav}^ 1 

Captain 1 

Drum-Major ] 

Privates 8 

The four applications accepted by Board of Managers, 
Feb. 21, 1899, not enrolled, ret)resented Revolutionary patri- 
ots serving as follows : 



[ 285 ] 



Captains 2 

Lieutenants 1 

Privates 1 

Mevibersliip Since Organization. 

Whole number enrolled, including two received 

from otlier Societies, S. A. R 243 

Dimitted to other Societies, S. A. R 1 

Resigned 1 

Deaths 11 

Active enrollment 230 

One charter member died before qualifying. 

Accej)ted, but not enrolled 4 

Archives. 

The year book foi- 1898 of the National Society, S. A. R., 
the " Register of Officers and Members of the Society of 
Colonial Wars," and a few manuscripts read before our 
own organization, have been acquired during the year. The 
Register of the Society, C. W., is a volume of 586 pages, 
giving ancestry upon which menibersliip depends of its 
2,366 members, with complete index of botli members and 
Colonial ancestors. 

Past President Field addresses the Society relative to the 
death of President General Edwin Shepard Barrett, and offers 
the following resolution, which is unanimously adopted by 
a rising vote : 

Whereas, Edwin Shepard Barrett, President General of the 
National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, 
died at his residence in Concord, Massachusetts, on Wednes- 
day, December 21, 1898, in the sixty-first year of his age; and, 
lohereas, the Rhode Island Society of the Sons of the Ameri- 
can Revolution, at its first meeting since the death of Com- 
patriot Barrett, desires to place on record its ai^preciation of 
the great service wliich he has rendered in preserving the 



[ 286 ] 



memories of tlie patriots of the American Revolution, his 
unremitting labors in historical work, and its grief at his 
untimelj^ death ; therefore, be it 

Resolved, That in the death of Edwin Shepard Bari-ett, 
President General of the National Society of the Sons of the 
American Revolution, the Society has lost an able, zealous, 
and enthusiastic officer, who had endeared himself to all its 
branches by his earnest efforts to promote the objects of the 
Society. 

Resolved, That this Society tenders its deepest sympathj^ 
to the members of the family of the late Edwin Shepard Bar- 
rett for the loss which they have sustained ; and be it further 

Resolved, Tliat the aforegoing be spread upon the recoi'ds 
of this Society, and that copies thereof, attested by the Presi- 
dent and Secretary, be transmitted to the Secretary General 
of the National Society of the Sons of the American Rev^olu- 
tion, and to the famil}' of said deceased. 

The officers elected for the ensuing year are : 



President, 

Vice-President, 

Secretary, 

Treasurer, 

Registrar, 

Historian, 

Chaplain, 

Poet, 

Delegate at Large, 

Delegates, 

Alter) tales, . 



Robert Perkins Brown. 

George Corlis Nightingale. 

Christopher Rhodes. 

Arthur Preston Sumner. 

Isaac Chase Greene. 

Edward Field. 

Rev. Frederic Denison. 

George Allen ]>uffum. 

James Henry Tower. 

George Thomas Hart, Wil- 
liam H. G. Temple. 

RoiiERT W. Taft, Truman 
Beckwith, Horace Thurs- 
ton, John Robert Wheaton. 



The amended By-Laws of the Societj' are adopted. 

The business of the annual meeting being disposed of, the 
Society adjourns to the Narragansett Hotel, at 7:30 o'clock, 
whei'c the annual dinner is served. 



Edward Field, Historian, delivers the historical address: 



[ 287 ] 

Address of Edward Field, Historian: "A Nkiht at 
Sabin's Inn." 

In the year 1772 there was a tavern in I^rovidence, vvliieh 
was located at what is now the corner of South Main and 
Phmet streets. This hostelry was known as Sabin's Tavern, 
and was presided over by James Sabin, a i-egularly licensed 
innkeeper. It was a famous place of resort, in those days, 
for merchants and professional men, for the landloi'd was 
esteemed by all who knew him, and his house was distin- 
guished for its excellence and its hospitalitj''. 

Were it not for the events which transpired within this 
house on the evening of the ninth of June, 1772, Sabin's 
tavern would never have attracted much attention, and would 
have been remembered only as a favorite resort of by-gone 
days. Its location on the Main street and opposite Fenner's 
whai'f, from which a regular packet sailed to Newport and 
New York, lent it some prominence, but its selection as the 
rendezvous for the daring party that burnt the " Gaspee," 
made the old place historic. 

Sabin's tavern was the former home of Captain Woodbury 
Morris, mariner, he having /purchased the estate, June 13, 
1757, and built the house soon after. Seven years later 
Captain Morris, while on a voyage to sea, died on the coast 
of Africa. On the second day of December, 1705, Mary 
Morris, the captain's widow, wrote in a little memorandum 
book, wherein her husband had foi-merly kept his accounts, 
and which she had continued to use: "Then Mr. Sabin moved 
into my house." From this time until December, 1773, James 
Sabin lived here, and catered to the wants of man and beast, 
but on this date he purchased a tract of land on the west side 
of the river, near the Great Bridge, about where the Merchants 
Bank building now stands, and left the tavern. 

The house was tlien purchased by Welcome Ai'nold, a 
distinguished merchant of Providence, who made many ad- 
ditions to the structure, and occupied it as his residence until 
his death, in 1798. It i-emained in the Arnold family for more 
than a hundred years, finally coming into the possession of 



[ 2S8 ] 

Samuel G. Arnold, the historian. During bis occupancy of the 
liouse, the room wherein the " Gaspee " party met was used as a 
dining-room, and there, on the wall, hung, for manj^ years, an 
account of the affair, prepared by Colonel Ephraim Bowen, 
the last survivor of the party, and engrossed by the hand of 
his daughter. The old house was demolished some j-ears ago. 

It was a custom, in Colonial days in Rhode Island, for the 
lawyers, at the concluding of filing pleas at the different 
terms of the courts, to meet at some popular resort, and, 
together, spend the evening. These gatherings were usuallj^ 
held at some tavern in the town, where, with good things to 
eat, good wine to drink, and the companionship of good 
friends, they passed the time until well into the night. 

One Tuesday evening, in the month of June, 1772, in one of 
the spacious rooms at Mr. Sabin's tavern, there was a small, but 
select part3% consisting of John Andrews, Judge of the Court 
of Vice-Admiralty, and John Cole, Daniel Hitchcock, and 
George Brown, gentlemen of the bar. They had attended 
to the legal duties which had In-ought them to the town, and 
now sought the comfort and cheer of Sabin's tavern. Early 
in the evening, after supper, between seven and eight o'clock, 
and before darkness had settledv down, for the days are long- 
in early June, these gentlemen were disturbed by a loud 
noise in the street, near the house, attended by tjie beating 
of a drum. Such sounds were not unusual, but its long 
continuation attracted their attention ; and Mr. Cole, going 
to the window, pulled back the shutters, and saw several 
people collected together in the street. Turning to his com- 
Ijanions, he inquii-ed if they knew the occasion of all this 
excitement. No direct reply was made to Mr. Cole's ques- 
tion, but one of the party remarked that he hoped they were 
up to no mischief ; to which Cole replied: "I believe not; 
if the}^ were on such a design they would not be so public." 

Several times during the evening, up to ten o'clock, the 
beating of the drum, and the voices in the street, aroused 
some curiosity in the minds of these men, and, from time to 
time, one or another of the party crossed the room to the 
window, looked out, and inquired the cause of so much com- 




LSAAO CHASE (4HEENK. 

liEGISTIiAU. 



[ 2S0 ] 

motion. But eacli time tlie reply whs to llie effect that it 
was some boys beatin*; a di-iim ; "thai it had been training- 
day, and tlie i)eople wer(> l)realviii.i;' uj) tlieir frolic." 

During- all this time landlord Sabin was flitting busily 
about the tavern, attending to their wants, and, now and 
then, stopi)ing with them for a moment, to enjoy their stories 
and conversation. Thus the evening passed, until long after 
midnight, when this little party broke up, and all left the 
tavern, passed out into the still, dark night, repaired to their 
lodgings and went to bod. 

While these gentlemen are enjoying themselves in this 
room, in another room of the tavern, the south-east room it 
is called, there is anotluu', much larger, party, and it has a 
strange and unusual appearaiu-c. I^'rom time to tinu; the door 
opens, and new-conun-s appear upon the scene. They aie all 
armed with guns, and have powdcM'-hoi-ns and cartridge-boxes 
slung over their slioulders. 

Before nine o'clock the room is full of [)(H)i)le, and by the 
dim light of the lamp on the nuintel-piece the faces of many 
of the ship-masters, merchants, and otluM- substantial men 
of the town can be distinguished. 

Around the fire-place ai-e men melting lead and running 
bullets, others are making cartridges ami looking over the 
locks of their guns. There is no loud conversation, each 
man is busy preparing foi- some unusual undertaking, and 
the sound of the drum outside in the street does not disturb 
them, nor does it awaken any curiosity in their minds as to 
its significance. 

The kitchen clock indicates the hour of ten, and witli a 
few whispered orders from one of the party, the men in 
the south-east room quietly tile out of the tavern, cross the 
street to Fenner's wharf, and (lro[), one by one, into some 
long-boats there in waiting. Ai-ound the whaif are a number 
of men and boys watching eagerly these strange i)roceedings ; 
one youth, more venturesome than the rest, clambers down 
into one of the boats, only to be pulled back by one of his 
elders, with the admonition that it is no place for boys. 

37 



[ 200 ] 

There is a low command, and then the boats push off, and 
are soon lost in the darkness. Sabin's tavern, at the head of 
the wharf, stands dark and gloomy, save where a streak of 
light shines through the shutters in the room where those 
four erudite gentlemen sit, totally unconscious of the strange 
manoeuvres going on about them. 

Next morning Judge Andrews arose early, the sun was an 
half-hour high. While putting on his clothes he was sur- 
prised beyond measure to hear some one in the street, near 
his window, say to another that the schooner was burned. 
" Upon which he opened the window, and saw on the other 
side of the street two black fellows and one white man talk- 
ing together." From them, for the first time, he learned the 
story of the night's work. 

It was not long before all of his companions had heard the 
thrilling news, and then there came floating back upon their 
memories the crowd, and noise in the street, the disturbing, 
discordant rattle of the drum, and the meaning of all this 
was now j^lain enough. 

Doubtless they congratulated themselves on being ignorant 
of what was going on within the house that night ; they had 
no hand in these proceedings, and whatever befell those who 
had been engaged, they surely would not suffer. But it is 
the unexpected that always happens. The "Gaspee" had 
been destroyed, but that was not the end of the troubles by 
any means. 

Posters were stuck up in consijicuous places, and circu- 
lated freely throughout the Colony, offering a reward for 
information which would bring those engaged in the affair 
•to justice. Then came the King's Commissioners to inquire 
into the whole matter, and, in due time, landlord Sabin and 
the four gentlemen comprising the little dinner party on that 
June evening, were summoned to Newport, to give their 
testimony of what they knew about the burning of the 
"Gaspee"; and they went, all but Mr. Sabin, who sent, 
instead, the following letter: 



[ 291 j 

"Providence, January 19, 1773. 
To the JionoraNe the commissioners appointed to inquire into 
the circumstances relative to the desfroying the schoon- 
er " Gaspee.''^ 

Gentlemen : — I now address you on account of a sum- 
mons I received from yon requirins^ ray attendance at the 
council chamber, in Newport on Wednesday, 20th instant. 

Now, gentlemen I beg leave to acquaint you, what renders 
me incapable of attending. In the first place I am an in- 
solvent debtor ; and therefore, my person would be subject to 
arrest by some one or another of my creditors ; and my health 
has been on decline these two months i)ast, and it would be 
dangerous should I leave my house. And further, were I to 
attend, I could give no information relative to the assem- 
bling arming training and leading on the people concerned 
in destroying the schooner ' Gaspee.' 

On the 9th day of June last at night, I was employed at 
my house attending company; who were John Andrew Esq. 
judge of the court of vice admiralty, John Cole, Esq. Mr. 
Flitchcock and George Brown, who supped at my house and 
stayed there until two of the clock, in the morning follow- 
ing ; and I have not any knowledge relative to the matter 
on which I am summoned which I am ready to inake oath 
to, before anj^ justice of the peace. 

I am gentlemen, most respectfully 
Your most humble servant 

James Sabin. 
To the Honorable Commissioners. 

The names of every j^erson composing this dinner party 
were known to the King's Commissioners, and each of them 
had to give a strict account of his whereabouts and actions 
that evening, but not one of the crowd in thesouth-east room, 
fully cognizant of the affair from beginning to end, was ever 
summoned or ever testified before the Court of Inquiry. So 
resolutely was the injunction of secrecy maintained that the 
names of only a dozen or so of this " crowd " were ever 
known, and who knows but what this little dinner party was 
a part of the whole scheme. 

George Allen Buflfum, Poet of the Society, reads the follow- 
ing poem, written by him for the occasion ; 



292 



Our Forefathers. 

I stood, one bleak December inoiii, alone 
Upon the shore of Pl3nTiouth's land-l()(;ked bay, 
And saw the waves from the Atlantic blown, 
Break on the rocks in freezing showers of si)ray. 
Above the distant harbor bar the sun 
Did not that morning gloi-ionsly appear, 
But, as if mourning for the dying year, 
lie hid his face behind a thick veil, spun 
Of leaden-colored storm clouds, while the tears 
That slowly fell from out the cloudy veil 
Were frozen by the chilling Northeast gale. 
And blown about me in light flakes of snow 
'I'hat wore fast decking the old wharves and piers 
In winter's white array and dazzling show. 
The sweeping tempest was so keen and raw 
That I could feel the ice of Labrador 
In its fierce bi'eath. Behind me, gray and brown. 
Arose the ganibrcl roofs of that old town. 
Whose honored nanu^ shall evei' have renown. 
lIl)on a neigh boi'ing hill where once a field 
Of golden-headed grain had from the eyes 
Of savage foes those early graves concealed, 
Now rose the glittering marbles o'er the heads 
Of generations in their lowly beds. 
Beneath the leafless trees and fi'ozen soil 
IMiey rested from their earthly caie and toil 
In one long sleep, the simple and the wise. 
Such was the landscape that around me bent 
Tiiat bleak December morning, and although 
I knew that life was moving to and fro 
In the old town, and that, few miles away, 
The Old World to the New its greeting sent 
Beneath the ocean, 3'et that bitter day 
A sense of loneliness upon me lay. 
Then did I strive to picture to my mind 
What were the feelings of lliat little baud. 



[ 203 ] 

Who, centuries ago, first trod this land, 

Then a bare forest swept by winter's wind. 

If I was lonely, what must they have felt 

Who left the verdant lanes of England fair, 

Or the quaint streets of Holland, where they dwelt 

Midst strangers, true, but still within the air 

Of social culture, and o'er rough seas sought 

This rocky coast of which they yet knew naught 

Except that it was desolate, and trod 

By a dark savage race and strange wild beasts ; 

And did all this that they might worship God, 

Not by the rule prescribed by kings and priests, 

But in the manner that their conscience taught? 

And all for this? Ah, was not this enough 

To steel their hearts against the Northern blast 

That drove their wretched bark o'er billows rough 

To this lone coast? Men to do noble deeds 

Must have a grand ideal ! This will cast 

Out from their hearts all fear of danger, take 

From the sharp sword its edge, and from the stake 

Its burning pains, its torment from the rack. 

And cause the toi'tui-ed victim to send back 

A shout of triumph, even while he bleeds. 

This had the Pilgrims. What to them were sleet, 

Hail, snow, keen winds, the rough and storm-toss'd seas, 

And all the terrors that stern winter bears? 

With shouts of joy did they the new land greet. 

And, gladly landing on its frozen sands. 

Beneath that dome which brightest azure wears. 

Upheld by columns of ice-gilded trees, 

In Nature's temple, never made with hands. 

They Joined in a sweet hymn to God above 

For this free land, the token of his love. 

Ah ! theirs were noble hearts and iron wills ! 

What wonder that from them a nation rose. 

Whose mighty name the universe now fills, 

And, as the yeai's roll on, yet mightier grows ; 

A nation which transformed tiiis Western laud, 



[ 294 ] 

Which they found wikl with forests covered o'er, 
Into a garden ; and throughout its length 
Stretched the iron sinews of its power and strength, 
Sending electric nerves from shore to shore, 
And made this soil, b}^ Freedom's breezes fanned, 
A blessed refuge from Oppression's hand ! 

An amusing feature of the exercises at the annual dinner 
was the following letter, read by Mr. Buffum. It was written 
by Compatriot Robert Lewis Barker. 

"Feb'y 20th, 1899. 
Rliudy Ireland Sasiety, Sons rv the Ainerikin Revolutioners : 

GiNTLEMEN — I was engaged in peerusin the invite that 
yez had the honor to sind me, to be wid yez on Feb. twintj'- 
second ; when me friend Hennessy dr-roped in. 

Says I, Tin invited,' says I, (swellin wid pride like a 
poutin pigeon), Tin invited,' I says, 'to spake wisdom to 
the Sons iv th' Amerikin Revolutioners,' says I. ' Ftwhat 
th' divil is them?' says he. 'They're ould family min,' I 
saj^s, 'who live on th' rimnants of their ancestors' riputa- 
tions,' I says. 'An it's little else some o' thim has to live on 
onyway,' I says, 'but they're ould, an' proud, an' respictable, 
t hat's fwhat they are,' I says. 

' Fwhat will ye be spakin about?' says he. 

'Who else but Washington?' says I. 

' Who is th' man ?' says he. 

' He's not a man,' says I, 'he's an Idol,' I says, 'an' more 
nor tin thousands o' thim revolutioners all over th' country 
worships his mimory,' I says. ' He was hild ver}^ great an' 
wise afore our Spanish conquist,' I says, 'but it's little heed 
he's gettin sin(;e Cousin George, and Mack, and Hohson pulls 
the str-rhings,' I says. 'But do you mind me, Hennessy,' I 
says, 'Ginerral Washingtown was great once awhile back,' 
I says. 'Did ye never hear as he made the 13 Indigeneons 
states,' I says. 

'Naw,' says Hennessy,' 'I niver did, an' naythci- did you,' 
he saj^s. ' What talk have you anyhow?' he says. 

'Mr. Hennessy,' says I to him (spakin in that commanding 
voice that Sectary Alger uses wid such power on Ginerial 
Miles), 'Mr. Hennessy,' I says, 'for two cints,' I says, 'I'd 
call th' police an' have ye arristed for lees nmjestic,' I says. 

'Well! well!' says Hennessy, 'I didn't mane to spake 



[ 295 ] 

disrespectable av th' owld Biicco ; how did he make thim 
states?' he says. 

' Made thim wid his little hatchet,' I says. 

' He had in mind to make by a sthraight dozen ; being no 
Baker (like th' mayor av Providence),' I says. 'But whin 
the 12 was done and set ont to dhry,' I says, ' up stei3S a 
sthr-rip av land as runs arround a great ar-runi av the say, 
and says 'me too." for I'm Rhody Ireland," it says. Well, 
Ginerral George (he was named for me Cousin George Dewey), 
Ginerral Geoi'ge,' I says, ' took his second best field glasses 
an' he looked all over Rhody. "Where is it?" he saj's. "I 
can't see anything but wather," he says. "Confound j'our 
aquatic impudence," he says, "what call have ye," he says, 
"to be on aqual ter-rms wid th' ballue blood av Virginia, an' 
th' Poltroons av New Amsterswear?" he says.' 

'Now there was a man by th' name av Roger that kept a 
money bank at twinty-seven Market square, and a hotel at 
number wan Nort Main street ; his ither name was Williams,' 
I says. 'Roger Williams was his name, Hennessy,' I says. 

'An' Roger Williams spakes up to th' Ginerral Washing- 
town bould as brass, an' he says, "Who first gave yez real 
liberty av the soul as well as the body?" he says; "it was 
this same Rhody Ireland, by j^our lave, Ginerral," he says. 
"Who gave j'ez admirals and commodores for your navy and 
burned a British fleet on Gaspipe Point?" he saj^s. " 'Twas 
that same Rhody Ireland, your honor," he says. "It's little 
goold we have," he says, " but we've bushels av paper-currence 
and barrels av pat-riot-ism. That's why we're called Rhody 
Ireland,' he says. "We've more injependence," he says, "in 
our little state than in all your 12 ready made ones put to- 
gether,' he says. "Ivery wan has his own mind about iverj- 
thing, an' divil a wan else agrees wid him," he saj-s. "So by 
your lave, Ginerral, I guess we'll come in," he says.' 

'There's foine impudence for ye, Hennessy,' I says. 'Any- 
how,' I says, ' it took wid th' gineral, an' he says, says he, 
" we'll have 13 for luck," he says, " for I can not tell a lie," 
he says.' 

An' now I must be takin me lave of yez, tho' faith I've not 
been wid yez at all, and I can't be, fer me Cousin George 
has sint for me to come over an' hilp him propitchiate th' 
Filipines wid taffy and machine guns. 
Yours for expansion, 

MARTIN DOOLEY. 

P. S.— Plaze excuse me writing on Manilla paper, but I 
use no ither since Cousin George sthr-ruk the town." 



MEMBERS OF THE RHODE ISLAM) SOCIETY 

OF THE 

SONS OF THE AMKUK AN KKVOLITION 

WHO SERVED IX THE A\ All WITH SPAIIV. 



Charles \yHEATON Abbot, Jr., Captain, Twelfth United 
States Infantry ; Colonel, First Rhode Island Volunteer In- 
fantry. 

John Russell Bartlett, Ca[)tain, United States Navy, 
retired ; in ehari^e of the Intellijj;en('e I]ui'eau, United States 
Navy, at Washington, D. C; and in charge of the Auxiliary 
Naval Force, United States Navy. 

William Henry Bisbee, Lieutenant-Colonel, First United 
States Infantry, now at Pinar Del Rio, Cuba; served in Cuba. 

Lewis Fairbrother Burrough, Ensign, United States 
Navy Volunteers; served on the U. S. S. "Constellation," 
" Manhattan," and " Marcellus." 

Lester Seneca Hill, INI. I)., Major and Surgeon, First 
Rhode Island Volunteer Infantiy. 

Charles Libbeus Hodges, Captain, Twenty-fifth United 
States Infantry, Second Division, Fifth Army Corps; served 
at Santiago de Cuba. 

Rowland Rodman Robinson, M. D., Lieutenant and 
Assistant Surgeon, First Rhode Island Volunteer Infantry. 



[ 297 ] 

Arthur Bradford Spink, Second Lieutenant, Company 
G, First Rhode Island Volunteer Infantry. 

Charles Edward Vere Kennon, M. D., Contract Assist- 
ant Surgeon ; First Lieutenant; assisted in organizing Stern- 
berg Hospital at Chickamauga. 

George Metcalf Daniels, Lieutenant, United States 
Revenue Service ; served on IT. S. S. "Manning," at Cuba. 

Charles Foster Tillinghast, Captain, Company A, First 
Rhode Island Volunteer Infantry. 

Amasa Mason Eaton, Jr., First Lieutenant, Company G, 
First Rhode Island Volunteer Infantry. 

William Bunnell Eaton, Corporal, Company A, First 
Rhode Island Volunteer Infautrv. 



BETSTOL CH.IPTEE, No. 1, 



RHODE ISLAND SOC'TETT 



SUNS OF THE AMERICAN REVULl TlUN 



ON the twentieth day of November, 1S97, the Board of 
Managers of the Rhode Island Society of the Sons 
of the American Revolntion granted the petition of 
Compatriot William Thomas Church Wardwell and 
others for authority to associate together as a Chapter of the 
Society in the town of Bristol, and on May 25, 1898, this 
Chapter was organized. It is designated as Bristol Chapter, 
No. 1, of the Rhode Island Society of the Sons of the Ameri- 
can Revolution. 

The following-named Compatriots were elected othcers of 
the Chapter : 

President, . . William Thomas Church Wardwell. 

Vice-President, Orrin L. Bosworth. 

Secretary, . J. W. De Wolf. 

Treasurer, . . Frederick F. Gladding. 

Historian, . George W. Arnold. 

Board of Managers. 
J. Howard Manchester, Henry M. Gibson. 



[ 299 ] 

The officers thus elected have continued in office since that 
time. 

On June 17, 1898, the Chapter celebrated the anniversary 
of the battle of Bunker Hill by appropriate exercises, in 
Bristol, the State Society being guests of the Chaj)ter on this 
occasion.' 

The Chapter has been particularlj^ active in locating and 
marking the graves of Revolutionary soldiers in the town. 



' For a more detailed account of these exercises, see address of President Wardwell, 
under proceedings of February 23, 1899. 



me:m()1mat.s. 

WILLIAM WARNER HOPPIN, 

Died April 19, 1800. 

Governor William Warner Hoppin, one of the constituent 
Compatriots of this Rhode Island Society of the Sons of 
the American Revolution, died in Providence, on the 19th 
of April, 1890, aged eightj^-two years, seven months and 
eighteen days. He was the third sou of Benjamin and 
Esther Phillips (Warner) Hoppin, and was born in Pi-ovi- 
dence, September 1, 1807. His descent, both on his father's 
and his mother's side, was from good old Puritan stock, that, 
in the Colonial daj's of Massachusetts, was regarded as in- 
fluential. His grandfather. Colonel Benjamin Hoppin, came 
from the Baj^ State and settled in Providence, where he en- 
tered the army of the Revolution, and was made Captain in 
the Rhode Island line, by commission from the Continental 
Congress. He served with distinction throughout the war, 
participating in the battles of Red Bank, White Plains, Mon- 
mouth, and Princeton. While the Societj' of the Cincinnati 
was flourishing he was elected a member ; and he continued 
throughout life to be, like most of his associates in this mili- 
tary order, a staunch Federalist. 

The grandson inherited many of the sterling qualities of 
his revered ancestor. At the age of twenty-one he was grad- 
uated from Yale College, now Yale University, delivering 
the class oration at commencement. He subsequently en- 
tered the Law School at New Haven, and in the year 1830 he 
was admitted to the Providence Bar. His official political 
career began in 1838, when he was elected a member of tlie 




WILLIAM WARNER HOPPIN. 



[ 301 ] 

Common Council. From this time on until his lamented de- 
cease his life was one of incessant activity, being, in public 
service and in business, identified with the most important 
movements in both city and State. In 1847 he was chosen a 
member of the Board of Aldermen, in which capacity he ren- 
dered the city good service for five successive years. In 1853 
he was elected to the State Senate, and in the years 1854, 
1855, and 185G he was elected Governor of Rhode Island by 
the Whig party. In 18GG he was re-elected to the State 
Senate, and in 1867 he was appointed, through his personal 
friend, Chief Justice Chase, Registrar in Bankruptcy. He 
also served for many years as a member of the School Com- 
mittee of Providence, devoting his great personal influence 
and distinguished talents to the improvement of the public 
schools and the welfare of the young. To this the writer can 
bear cheerful testimony, as he was himself a member during 
all this period, holding the office of Secretary. 

In private life Governor Hoppin was eminently social ; and 
in his beautiful summer residence at Warwick Neck he de- 
lighted to surround himself with friends, and dispense the 
hospitalities in which he so much abounded. He was, withal, 
a devout Christian man. His pastor, the Rev. Dr. Vose, in a 
sermon preached shortly after his death, has paid a glowing 
tribute to his moral worth and excellence. Truly the memory 
of such a Compatriot is blessed. 

Reuben A. Guild. 



JAMES HENRY ELDREDGE, 

Died February 20, 1891. 

Dr. James Henry Eldredge, one of the oldest and most re- 
spected members of the Rhode Island Society of the Sons 
of the American Revolution, died at his residence, in East 
Greenwich, February 20th, 1891. He owed his title to mem- 
bership in the Society to his grandfather, James Eldredge, 
who was a Captain in the Revolutionary army, and served 



[ 302 ] 

with credit and distiactiou in the troops furnished by the 
State of Connecticut. He was also collaterally connected 
with the Lymans and other families, who were honorably 
represented in the Revolutionary struggle. 

Dr. Eldredge was born in East Greenwich, in the same 
house in which he died. May 27th, 1816, and was the son of 
Dr. Charles and Hannah (Child) Eldredge. His early educa- 
tion was in Kent Academy, and in a private school at Ja- 
maica Plains, Massachusetts. He was destined to his father's 
profession, and jjursued his studies under his direction. He 
attended the Yale Scientific School for a year, for instruction 
in chemistry and physical science, and completed his medi- 
cal course at the Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, 
from which he graduated, in 1837, with the degree of M. D. 
He returned to Rhode Island to assist his father, and by the 
death of the latter, a j'ear later, succeeded to his large prac- 
tice. From this time for more than half a century Dr. El- 
dredge was the principal physician in his native place, and 
his life was that of the active and unostentatious fulfillment 
of the duties of his i^rofession, with all its wide opportunities 
for heli3 and comfort, in filling his place in the community 
as citizen, neighbor, and friend, and in such public offices as 
his fellow citizens could force uj)on him. His standing in 
his profession was high, and with a sound judgment and 
wide practical experience he combined a thorough study of 
all the advances in medical science. He was President of 
the Rhode Island Medical Society from 1858 to 1800, and 
from that time until his death was one of its Board of 
Censors. For a period of twentj^ years he was a consulting 
physician of the Rhode Island Hospital. He was reluctant 
to accept public office, and his service in that direction was 
mainly as a member of the School Committee of East Green- 
wich, a place which he held for forty years, for twenty of 
which he was the President. He was, also, at various times, 
a member of the Town Council, and, in 1887 and 1888, he 
was prevailed upon to accept the office of State Senator. 
For fifty years he was an officer of the Protestant Episcopal 
Church of East Greenwich, and deeply devoted to its welfare. 




JAMES HENRY ELDREDGE, M. D. 



[ 303 ] 

His many years in the community, added to his virtue and 
service, his high character and engaging manners, gave him 
a powerful influence upon his fellow-citizens, and his posi- 
tion in society was one of the highest dignity and esteem. 
He was active in benevolence in and outside of his profes- 
sion, and, intimately associated, as he was, by his profession, 
with the joys and sorrows of a large portion of the commu- 
nity, he was regarded as a venerated friend and a "father 
in Israel" by the generations which had grown up about him. 
During his entire service as a physician he was seldom ab- 
sent from his circle of patients, and, at no time, until his 
death, was he incapacitated by illness from attending them. 
His manners were so cheerful and kindly that his very pres- 
ence was an inspiration in a sick room, and tliese manners 
were but the emanation of his warm and generous nature. 
His gracious and dignified presence and cordial spirit equall}' 
commended him to strangers, and, to his latest days, he was 
a marked figure in any assembly. He was justly proud of 
his Revolutionary ancestry, and took a deep interest in the 
welfare and progress of this Society. At his death the 
Rhode Island Medical Society took appropriate action to 
express its esteem for his character and service, and a me- 
morial tablet was placed in St. Luke's Church by his friends 
and fellow members. His life was one of high honor to him- 
self, and all connected with him, simple ; unostentatious, 
finding its highest reward in the performance of duty, and 
in the exercise of benevolence; fulfilling every requirement 
as citizen, neighbor, and friend, and bearing 

"Without abuse, 
The grand old name of gentleman." 

Alfred M. Williams. 



[ 304 ] 

CHARLES FALES BALLOU, 
Died January 23, 1893. 

Charles Fales Ballon was born in Cnnibei-land, R. I., March 
12, 1847. When he was quite yonng his parents moved to 
Bristol. In the pnblic schools of Bristol his schooldays were 
spent. He was graduated from Brown University in the 
class of 18G9, and immediately after his graduation began 
the study of law in the office of the late Edward H. Hazard. 
He practiced law in Woonsocket for many years, and repre- 
sented that city in the Rhode Island House of Representa- 
tives from 1883 to 1887. He was a more than ordinarily 
useful member of that body, not onlj' because of the clear 
and convincing way in which he stated his opinions, but also 
from the fact that he had for four years acted as Clerk of the 
House, and so had thoroughly mastered the principles of 
legislation. In 1885 he was elected Trial Justice of the Court 
at Woonsocket (the previous occupant, Judge Wilbur, having 
been promoted to the bench of the Supreme Court), and in 
1886 he was elected by the Legislature Justice of the Twelfth 
Judicial District. He was twice elected President of the 
Town C'Ouncil of Woonsocket, and on the formation of the 
city government was made Judge of the Court of Probate of 
the new city. This judgeship and the Trial Justiceship he 
held at his death. There was no office in the gift of the 
people of Woonsocket which he could not have whenever he 
signified his willingness to be a candidate therefor. It was 
a case where the office sought the man rather than the man 
the office. 

As a judge he was sometimes criticised for being too much 
inclined to leniency in the treatment of the unfortunate 
criminals who came before his court, being ever inclined to 
mercy when mercy was at all possible. For two years before 
his death he suffered from an unusually painful illness. 
During almost all the last years of his life he was confined to 
his home, being exceedingly patient under his sufferings. 
In religion he was an Episcopalian ; in politics a lifelong re- 
publican. He died January 23, 1893. 




ClIAKLEy FALES BALL(JU. 



L 305 ] 

Such is the account of Charles Fales Ballou, which will 
satisfy those who knew him only in the later years of his 
life when his career had become, as it were, a part of the his- 
tory of the city in which he dwelt. But shall one who was a 
friend of his boyhood be content with so bare a stoiy ! I 
first knew Charlie Ballo.u more than thirty years aj^o, and I 
remember all the circumstances of that meeting as though it 
had taken place only yesterday. It was in the old High 
School building at Bristol. (The Ballous lived "on tlie 
Neck" on a farm which had, I believe, belonged to the family 
of the ancestor from whom he derived his membership in this 
Society, and so until he entered the High School lie was 
known to but few of the boys who lived in town.) A new 
term had just begun, and the two boys who had won the 
prizes for declamation in a contest which had taken place at 
the close of the last tei'ui were to repeat the selections which 
had given them supremacy. The first to declaim was a giant 
in size, who seemed to me entirely out of place on the plat- 
form, so mature in every way did he appear to the eyes of 
a boy of ten. After he liad taken his seat, amid well deserved 
applause, the master called "Ballou," and straightway there 
stepped upon tlie i)latform the slender, graceful figure of a 
boy a few years older than mj-self. With tiie art of a boin 
orator he seemed at once to lose himself in Ids subject. Wlien 
he finished, the applause was deafening. (We used to ap- 
plaud as seemed to us best, in those old school days at 
Bristol.) The younger declaimer was easily the first orator 
in the minds of all who heard the two speakers, as he was 
confessedly from that time forward the first in the school as 
long as he remained in it. The boy was father to the man. 
All his schoolfellows were confident from that moment that 
there was no position on the oratorical stage he could not 
worthily fill. And, looking back upon the success he achieved 
in spite of the poor health which held him back in later life, 
I feel that our boyish judgment was not far wrong. 

Into all the boyish sports which then made the " Common " 
a happy meeting place for all Bristol lads, Charlie Ballou 
threw himself with the zest every healthy boy ought to show. 

39 



[ 306 ] 

So he took part in all our free-hearted rambles over the fields 
and through the woods of the old town. In all the snowball- 
ing contests against the other schools, which then formed a 
part of every High School boy's winter life (contests in which, 
by the way, the present Senator from Bristol always took a 
most prominent part, and which were sometimes more severe 
than our parents supposed), his good nature never failed. 
And when, in the pleasant days of summer, we breasted the 
waves of the Narragansett, or went gliding over its watei's, 
not infrequently with that matchless sailor whose fame as a 
designer and builder has since become world wide, at the 
helm (quietest and most modest of Bristol boys he was then 
as he is now most quiet and modest of Bristol men), no 
one's laugh was more gay, no one's enjoyment more keen 
than his. 

He entered Brown University before I did, and, but for 
severe illness, would have graduated two classes before me. 
For three j^ears, however, of our student life our intimacy 
continued. How much intimacy means among students at 
college every alumnus here present knows full well. We 
roomed in the same division in Hope College. For much of 
the time we ate at the same table, and in all those years our 
friendship was never ruffled for a moment. Was anyone, I 
wonder, ever seriously angry with him ? 

After his graduation he studied law in Providence, and 
"23 Hope" still f re(iuently held him within its walls. Un- 
til my own graduation our ways were never far apart. After 
that time, however, we met less frequently. Continents and 
seas sometimes divided us. When I came back to Brown, in 
1891, the shock his changed ajjpearance gave me was tre- 
mendous. All the old jauntiness was gone, tho' the old 
grace still remained. The hand of death was i)lainly upon 
him. Would he ever recover strength to throw it off? Gal- 
lantly he struggled, but his work was done. He is dead, and 
for us only his memory is left. 

And so, O, Charlie Ballon ! in the name of all those play- 
mates who knew you and loved you in j'our boyhood da3's, in 
the name of that larger band of students who enjoyed your 




EDWARD PAYSON DENISON. 



[ 307 j 

friendship in the delightful years spent in the halls of our 
Alma Mater, in the name of that still larger throng, who, 
since tlien, have with you been laboring to act well a man's 
part in life, the friend of thj^ boyhood, and of thj' young man- 
hood, once more, and for the last time, salutes thee ! 

Sjnnpathetic companion of our schooldays, chosen associate 
of the years when life was brightest and most full of hope, 
much valued friend of our maturer life, upright counsellor, 
true gentleman. Hail ! and Farewell ! 

Wilfred H. Munro. 



EDWARD PAYSON DENISON. 

Died March 11, 18'J4. 

Edward Paj son Denison, sou of Isaac W. and Eunice E. 
(Burrows) Denison, was born in Mystic, Connecticut, May 
19, 1854. He was educated in the schools of his native vil- 
lage, and finally was graduated from Scholfield's Commercial 
College, Providence, thus fitting himself for a mercantile 
career. For a time he was employed by D. H. Davis, a 
wholesale grocer in Providence, and afterwards by Barden & 
Keep, wholesale dealer in flour and farm products. Finallj' 
he established himself as a commission merchant, having his 
office in the city and extending his business throughout the 
New England States. He mingled but little in societj% his 
home being the centre of attraction and the object of his 
thoughts and desires. In early life he united with a Baptist 
Church in Groton. He was an ardent Republican in politics, 
a true patriot in principle ; and he had the esteem of all who 
knew him. He married, January, 1876, Ella L. Garfield, of 
Providence. He died of the "Grippe," March 11, 1894, and 
was buried in Swan Point Cemetery. He was a Son of the 
American Revolution, on his father's side from Isaac Denison 
and Colonel Benadam Gallup ; and on his mother's side from 
Sergeant John Burrows, who served both in the French and 
Indian War, and iu the Revolution. 

Reuben A. Guild. 



[ 308 ] 



CRAWFORD ALLEN. 

Died May 7, 1894. 

Compatriot Crawford Allen died Ma}', 7, 1894, in his 55th 
year. He was a son of the late Crawford Allen, and grand- 
son of the Rev. Dr. Nathan B. Crocker, for 62 years the well 
known Episcopal Deacon and Rector of St. John's Chnrch in 
Providence. His great grandfather on his mother's side was 
Dr. Isaac Senter, of Newport, a distinguished Surgeon in the 
Continental army, and President of the Rhode Island Branch 
of the Society of the Cincinnati. Mr. Allen was born on the 
2d of April, 1840. He received his academic training at the 
University Grammar School, and at the early age of fifteen 
entered the Freshman Class at Brown. Here he remained 
but a single year, the still, quiet pursuits of college life not 
proving congenial to his i-estless, active nature. L^pon leav- 
ing the institution he traveled in Europe, and subsequently 
made a voyage to China, visiting various islands in the East 
Indies. He afterwards went to California, and was in the 
city of San Francisco upon the breaking out of the Rebellion. 
He immediately returned to Rhode Island, and with patriotic 
zeal enlisted in the service of his country, receiving, Novem- 
ber 7, 18G1, a commission as 2d Lieutenant in Battery G, 
First Rhode Island Light Artiller3^ This battery fought with 
great braver}^ at the battle of Antietam. It also rendered 
good service at the second battle of Fredericksburg, where the 
Lieutenant received a slight wound. Shortly after this he 
was made Adjutant of the Regiment, and Acting Adjutant- 
General of the Artiller}' Brigade, Sixth Army Corps. In 
1863, he was promoted to the Captaincy of Battery FT, to fdl 
the vacancy occasioned bj^ the resignation of Captain Jeffrey' 
Hazard. In this new relation he proved efficient as a com- 
mander, and was exceedingly popular with the men. In the 
battle before Petersburg, April 2d, 1865, his battery bore a 
very prominent pai't. For "gallantly and meritorious ser- 



A 




■xf"' 



CRAWFORD ALLEN. 



[ 30!) ] 

vices" at this battle, whieli, by a singular coincidence, oc- 
curred on the anniversary of his ^5th birtliday, Captain Allen 
was promoted to the i-ank of Brevet Major, Subsequentlj' 
he was made Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel. On the 28th of 
June, 1865, he was mustered out of service. A fine steel en- 
graving of him is among the portraits in Bartlett's " Memoirs 
of Rhode Island Olificers." 

On the 19th of November, 1877, Lieutenant-Colonel Allen 
married Clara Denison Foster, youngest daughter of Samuel 
Foster of this city. The marriage proved a source of great 
domestic felicity. Two sons and two daughters, with the 
widow, cherish fond memories of a loving and affectionate 
husband and father. For the last eight yeais of his life he 
suffered intensely from Bi-ight's disease. Duiing all liis sick- 
ness he was patient and uncomplaining, and at last passed 
quietly and peacefully awa}'. While it cannot be said of 
him, in customary phraseology', that he was a " devout member 
of the church," it can in truth be said that he was biave in 
the performance of duty, frank and outspoken in his utter- 
ances, and that he scorned all meanness, hypocris}^ and cow- 
ardice, in whatever form or disguise they might appear. 
Peace be to his ashes. 

Reuben A. Guild. 



[ 310 ] 



NATHANIEL MOWRY BRADLEY, 
Died July 24, 1895. 

Compatriot Nathaniel Mowiy Bradley, son of Nathaniel 
Mowry Bradley and Maria Louise (Tallman) Bradley, was 
born in the city of Providence, August 29th, 18G8. He 
attended the public schools of that city, and was a pupil in 
the High School at the time he left to accept a position in the 
Old National Bank. He continued in the service of the bank 
for several years, and had won the high regard of its officers 
as a faithful and efficient employee, when he was stricken 
down in all the promise of early manhood. He died on the 
24th day of July, 1895. 

Compatriot Bradley claimed his membership in this Societj^ 
through descent from Colonel Benjamin Tallman, who com- 
manded the first regiment whose enlistment was authorized 
by the General Assembl}^ at the October session, 1 775. Colonel 
Tallman also rendered valuable service in building the new 
navy. He built two fi-igates for the government: the "War- 
ren," mounting thirty-two guns, and the " Providence," twentj'- 
eight guns, and later superintended the construction of the 
ship "Confederacy." 

Compatriot Bradley was possessed of a kind and genial 
disposition, and took a lively interest in all matters pertain- 
ing to young men. He was a member of the Bank Clerks 
Association, and an officer in the Narragansett Boat Club. 
He was a man of higli Christian chai-acter, and actively par- 
ticipated in many branches of religious work. He was a 
member of the Central Baptist Church, and served very 
efficiently as Treasurer of the Sunday-school. He was also 
connected with the Young Men's Christian Association, and 
worked faitlifully on man}' of its committees. 

Akthuk p. Sl'-Mner. 




NATHANIEL MOWRY BRADLEY, 



[ 311 ] 



ALFRED MASON WILLIAMS, 
Died March 0, 189G. 

Compatriot Alfred Mason Williams died at Basse Terre, 
St. Kitts, West Indies, on the Otli of March, 1896. He was 
the son of Lloyd Hall and Prudence King (Padelford) Wil- 
liams, and was born in Taunton, Massachusetts, on the 23d 
of October, 1840. His remote ancestors on both sides were 
Welsh. His immediate ancestor, Richard Williams, came 
from Taunton, in Somersetshire Count}', England, and founded 
the town of Taunton, Massachusetts. His great-grandfather, 
James Williams, was a Captain during the Revolutionary 
War, and for a long series of years afterward was the Town 
Clerk. His great-uncle, John Mason Williams, was the dis- 
tinguished Chief Justice of the Massachusetts Court of Com- 
mon Pleas. The subject of our sketch received his early 
education in the public schools, was fitted for college at 
the Bristol Academy, and entered Brown University in the 
class of 1800. The Rev. Dr. Barnas Sears was then Presi- 
dent, and Professors Caswell, Chase, Gammell, Lincoln, Dunn, 
and Greene were the leading instructors. Weakness of the 
eyes, brought on by over-use, compelled him to leave college 
before the completion of his course, and hence he was never 
regularly graduated, although he afterwards, in 1883, received 
the honorarj' degree of A. M. 

During the Civil War Williams enlisted as a High Private, 
and served under General Banks in the Louisiana Campaign. 
Having written some letters to the newspapers that attracted 
attention, he was invited, at the expiration of his term of 
service, to accept a position as reporter on the Taunton Daily 
Gazette. In 18G5 he was appointed by the New York Tribune 
to visit Ireland, and report the Fenian disturbance. On his 
return he became City Editor and afterwards Managing Edi- 
tor of the Gazette. In 1868 he was elected a Representative 
to the Massachusetts State Legislature, and the year follow- 



[ 312 ] 

in<,^ he was re-elected by the unanimous vote of both political 
parties. In the fall of 1869 he went West and established the 
Neosho Journal, in Neosho, a town in the southwest corner 
of Missouri, near the Indian Territoiy. While here he spent 
much time with the Indians, and was Secretary pro tern, of 
the last Grand Council of all the tribes, held at Okmulge, in 
the Greek nation. On his return East he obtained a situa- 
tion on the local staff of the Providence Journal, and in 
about six months was promoted to the position of chief edi- 
torial writer. On the death of George W. Danielson he 
became Editor-in-Chief. Ilis services in this important posi- 
tion, as a leader and guide in all measures for the prosperity 
and growth of the city, and the good of the people, are known 
to us all. In 1891, while on a visit to Europe in search of 
rest and health, he resigned all active connection with jour- 
nalism. After his retirement he contributed a large number 
of articles to magazines and newspapers on literary and kin- 
dred subjects. He also published several books, which have 
had a wide reputation. His latest work was editing "Men of 
Progress in Rhode Island," a quarto volume published by 
subscription. 

Mr. Williams was a member of various societies and or- 
ganizations, including the Providence Press Club, of which 
he was the founder and first President. His services in 
behalf of our Public Library, as an active Trustee, entitle 
him to lasting gratitude. He married, in 1870, a Miss Leon- 
ard, of Taunton, with whom he lived happily sixteen years. 
She died, in 1880, without issue. From this time on, until his 
own lamented decease, he seemed a changed man; life for him 
had lost its charms. He was never a man of words, and, in 
his feelings, he was not especially demonstrative ; but for the 
few admitted to the inner circle, he had warm attachments. 
His remains were laid away in the lonely island where he 
died. "Requiescat in pace." 

Reuben A. Guii^d. 




ALFRED MASON WILLIAMS. 



[ 313 ] 

NATHANIEL GREENE TOTTEN, 
Died August 2, 1897. 

The death of Nath<aniel G. Tolten, on August 2d, 1897, 
causes this Society to mourn one of its most unique mem- 
bers. He was one of our most active Compatriots. He was 
a most modest man, and, at our banquets, never took liis 
seat nntil the Committee had found him, and escorted him 
thither. 

He was the son of a Revolutionarj^ soldier, an honor shared 
with him by only one other member of this Society. 

Mr. Totten was born in South Kingstown, November 2d, 
1823 ; his father was Levi Totten, and his mother Susannah 
C. Peckham. When about thirty years of age he came to 
Providence, and ran the engine at Moulton & Ingraham's 
planing mill, on Mill street. The first steam fire engine was 
bought for the city, in 1859, and Mr. Totten was appointed 
assistant engineer ; upon the advent of the second steam 
fire engine, Mr. Totten was appointed engineer in charge 
of it. 

He continued in this position until 1870, when the Fire 
Alarm Telegraph was introduced, and he took charge of 
the battery room, on Richmond street. Four years later he 
moved over, with his batteries, to the dome of the Cit}' Hall, 
and has occupied that elevated position ever since, up to the 
time of his fatal illness. For thirty-eight years he was con- 
nected with the city's fire department, and kept ward and 
watch over the city's safety. He presents a most worthy 
example of quiet application to dutj^ losing only a few 
weeks out of the thirty-eight years on account of sickness. 
He was widely known in fire department circles, and was 
honored by all who knew him or came in contact with him. 

Mr. Totten entered this Society January 17th, 1894, through 
his father, Levi Totten, who was born in Goshen, N. Y., 1753, 
and died in Scituate, R. I., 1833. Levi Totten enlisted February 

40 



[ ^'l-i ] 

22cl, 1770, as private in Captain Daniel Denton's Company, 
of Goshen, N. Y. lie re-enlisted many times during the wai-, 
and served in tlie New York Continental line. He was at 
White Plains, the fight at Ramapo Bridge, and at the fall of 
Fort Montgomery. 

Thus our friend and Compatriot, Nathaniel G. Totten, 
connected us directly back to Revolutionary times. His life, 
and his father's, cover the space of 145 years, considerably 
over half the time since the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth 
Rock. 

Mr. Totten had an honorable ancestry, and leaves an hon- 
orable name. What better epitaph could any man desire? 

Robert P. Brown. 




NATHANIEL GREENE TOTTEN, 
Son op Levi Totten, a Soldier of the Revolution. 



L 315 ] 



WILLIAM JAMES SWINBURNE, 
Died September 19, 1897. 

Compatriot William J. Swinburne died September 19th, 
1897, in the 7Gth year of his age. He was the son of Thomas 
and Charlotte (Tew) Swinburne, and was born in Newport 
on the 22d of January, 1822. He was a grandson of Captain 
William Tew, of the Continental army, who was the bearer 
of money to pay the Rhode Island troops at Valley Forge. 
By virtue of this i-elationship he became a member of the 
Order of the Cincinnati. His father died when he was but 
three years of age, leaving a widow and two sons. William, 
the elder, was educated at private schools in Newport, but 
his early manhood was spent at Lynchburg, Virginia. In- 
heriting from his ancestors the military instinct, he, in 1846, 
joined the United States army for service in the Mexican 
War, and was made Second Lieutenant, and also Adjutant, 
of the Picket Guards. He was present in various battles, 
including Palo Alto, and Vera Cruz, in all of which he was 
distinguished for his bravery. At the close of the war he 
returned to the place of his birth, and engaged in the coal 
business, in which he continued tovty years, or until 1893, 
when he retired from active occupations. 

During his protracted life Compatriot Swinburne was a 
prominent and active citizen of Newport. During the Know 
Nothing excitement of 1855 and 1856, he served the city as 
Mayor. In the days of volunteer service he was a member 
of the Hook and Ladder Company, and he was also a member 
of the Board of Firewards. He was an active member of 
the Newport Historical Society, and for fifteen years he 
served as a member of the School Committee. At one time 
he was Major of the Rhode Island Militia. In 1886 he was 
elected a Representative to the General Assembly, and he 
served the State in this capacity for several years following. 
He mari'ied, in 1851, Mary Ann, daughter of Robinson Monk, 



[ ;^i6 ] 

of Thoniaston, Maine. Mr. Monk claimed descent from the 
famous General, George Monk, of Gromwell's time. Of nine 
children, the fruits of this union, but one survived the age 
of infancy. She, an numanied daughter, together with the 
mother, lives to mourn tlie husband and father's lamented 
decease. In polities Mr. Swinburne was a staunch Repub- 
lican ; in religion, a Unitarian. Peace to his ashes. 

Reuben A. Guild. 




WILLIAM JAMES SWINBURNE. 



[ 317 ] 



CHRISTOPHER LIPPITT, 

Died February 2, 1898. 

On February 2d, 1898, tliat sure and fatal iiiarksinan. Death, 
made the third jj^ap in our line since our last annual meeting, 
and No. 37 will answer the roll-call of the living no more. 
Ever watchful for a shining mark, he selected one of our 
number bearing a name greatl}' honored by his Revolution- 
ary ancestor, and maintained by himself unsullied and un- 
tarnished, without fear and without reproach. 

Christopher Lippitt was born on Lippitt Hill, in the town 
of Cranston, April 22, 1825, and was thus in his 73d year. 
His father was a farmer, although having an interest in the 
cotton mills, in which he placed his son to learn the business. 
Colonel Christopher Lippitt, of Revolutionary fame, had 
founded these mills, and his grandson very naturally carried 
forward the cotton spinning industry, with which the Lippitt 
family has been so closeljMdentified in Rhode Island history. 

He was educated at Belden's Classical School on Fruit 
Hill, Providence, 'and prepared for college, but abandoned a 
higher education for immediate business prospects. He either 
owned or managed the Lippitt, Phenix, Jackson, Lyman, and 
other mills, and was prominent among Rhode Island manu- 
facturers until 1873, when he retired, and for the last twenty- 
five years has spent his time in quiet seclusion or in ti-avel, 
seeking for a restoration of his health. 

On October 3, 1861, he married Louise Gorton (Hallett) 
Lippitt, the widow^ of his cousin, Robert Lippitt, and daugh- 
ter of the well known merchant, George W. Hallett. He was 
a director in the Rhode Island Hospital Trust Company, Old 
National Bank, and City Savings Bank, and these semi-public 
positions were the only offices he ever held. He belonged 
only to the Rhode Island Historical Society and the Rhode 
Island Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. Of 
this, our Society, he was a charter member, entering February 



[ ^318 ] 

1, 1890, through his descent from Colonel Christopher Lippitt, 
of Cranston, who was Lieutenant-Colonel of a regiment of 
minute-men, and in 177G was appointed Colonel of the Rhode 
Island Regiment, wliich, at White Plains, Trenton, and Prince- 
ton, rendered such important services that, at Morristown, 
General Washington gave Colonel Lippitt a brevet command 
as Brigadier-General of a brigade. 

Our deceased Compatriot was a Unitarian in his religious 
views, and attended the Westminster Church until a few 
years since, when he changed to the First Congregational, 
also a Unitarian Church. His manner of life was that of a 
quiet, courteous gentleman. His disposition was too retii-ing 
and inoffensive, and his health too precarious, to allow him to 
enter the arena of politics or to wrestle witli the active con- 
tending forces in life ; his spirit was too gentle to bear, with 
equanimity, the blows and bufifetings of tlie aggressive seekers 
after tlie prizes of this world ; and so he lived, a quiet, unob- 
trusive, unpretending gentleman, having all he needed, and 
doubtless far happier than those that struggle and gi-asp for 
great things, and, even when winning their heart's desires, 
tind them mostly' vanity at last. 

Robert P. Brown. 




CIll^ISTOPIIEH LIPPITT. 



[ 319 ] 



HENRY CLAY ARMSTRONG, 
Died January 5, 1899. 

When a man has passed through the sunimer of life, 
warmed and ripened by its glow, and the wintry frost of ad- 
vancing age touches him, and he falls, we fully understand 
and accept the wise course of Nature; but when a strong man 
falls suddenly, in the midst of life, with its future still allur- 
ing, with his ambition still unattained and his ideals unreal- 
ized, we fail to see clearly through our grief and can only 
think of the pit}^ of it. 

This latter was the case of our friend, Henry Clay Arm- 
strong, born March 22nd, 1847, and deceased January 5th, 
1899, his heart ceasing to beat without warning and without 
pain. His temporary confinement to the house by a severe 
cold seemed to give no cause for alarm, and his death came 
as a shock to all. 

He was born in the old-time Rhode Island village of Che- 
pachet, and although he lived there only the first five j^ears 
of his life, yet he took great delight in later years in recalling 
stories about the people of the town, which lies under the 
protection of Acote's Hill. He was taken to Grand Rapids, 
Michigan, when he was about five years of age, and there 
started life, as so many Americans have, by carrying and 
selling America's alleged Palladium, the newspaper. When 
thirteen years of age he returned to Providence and entered 
the old Prospect Street School, where many of us first met 
him. After about three years' schooling he went into the 
employ of the Providence Tool Co., as timekeeiier, where he 
remained until he entered the service of the Kendall Manu- 
facturing Co., and to them he devoted the remaining thirty- 
three yeai's of his life. His first marriage was to Miss Dean, 
by whom he had a son, who survives him. After the death 
of his first wife, he married Miss Julia A. Dench, by whom 
he had two daughters, who, with their mother, also survive 
hira. 



[ o20 ] 

This bare outliue of his life has little significance to those 
who knew him best, but is lost sight of in remembering the 
active, determined doings of the man. This aetivitj' which 
established his business reputation he also carried into other 
interests, and many will remember his unconquerable force, 
whether displayed at the City Flail or as President of the 
Rhode Island Ti-avelers Association, or as Lieutenant-Colonel 
of the Red, White and Blue Battalion. The determined, ag- 
gressive position taken by him in many cases aroused bitter 
opposition, but all of his opponents were obliged to recognize 
his rectitude, and his loyalt}' to the cause which he had 
espoused. His memory was exceedingly retentive, and did 
him valuable service in business and leisure hours. Two 
qualities were especially marked in his character ; an hon- 
estj' which applied to small things as well as great, and 
which was almost exacting, and a loyalty which bound him 
as if with bands of steel to those to whom he was obligated, 
or in whom he liad set his faith. 

He was prominent in Masonic circles, and when he found 
that he was eligible for admission to the Sons of the Ameri- 
can Revolution, his joy was great, and he took much satis- 
faction in tracing up his ancestry and writing out their 
record. 

It is no place here to linger over incidents of his career, to 
repeat his merry stories, or to dwell on his light-hearted rail- 
lery, which drove away gloom, ajid made the hours bright 
and swift. We can only say farewell, and tread the path of 
duty with less light and warmth upon our way. 

Robert P. Brown. 




HENRY CLAY ARMSTRONG. 



[ 321 ] 

DANIEL BULLARD POND, 
Died September 9, 189G. 

Daniel B. Pond was born in the town of Smithfield, Octo- 
ber 21, 1830, his parents being Eli and Maria (Ballard) Pond. 
His great-grandfather, Eli Pond, was a laentenant in the 
Continental army, in the war for independence. He attend- 
ed the common schools nntil the age of ten years, when his 
parents moved to Mendon, Mass. Here he continued at 
school until fifteen years of age, subsequently becoming a 
pupil at Professor James Bushee's school, at the " Old Bank 
Village," and, later, of the Manual Labor School, at Worces- 
ter, Mass. Afterwards he entered Phillips Academy, at An- 
dover, Mass., to fit for college, in which institution he con- 
tinued for two years, and then finished his i^reparatory 
course at a private institution in Concord, Mass., remaining 
there one year, during which time he made the acquaintance 
of Emerson, Hawthorne, and Thoreau. 

He next entered Brown University for a classical course, 
and gi-aduated in 1857, with the degree of A. B. He next 
entered the Law School at Albanj^ N. Y., from wliich ho 
graduated with the degree of LL. D., and was shortly after- 
wards admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court of New 
York. About that time he was engaged as attorney for the 
township corporation of Ceredo, Va., where he remained for 
a brief period. 

In 1859 he was admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court 
of Massachusetts. About this time a law and collection 
office for the United States was opened by the law firm of 
which he was a partner, on State street, Boston, he having 
full charge for one yeav. 

He then removed to New York, where headquarters were 
established, in Wall street, with seven clerks ein ployed, and 
where claims against Southerners, aggregating $1,000,000, 
were entered fur collection. This was in 1860. The follow- 
ing year the war began, and destroyed the business. He 

41 



[ 322 ] 

engaged in the niannfaetnre of ordnance for the Govern- 
ment, being, at tlie time, fi'equently brought in contact with 
President Lincobi. 

In 18G2 he returned to Woonsocket, where he was engaged 
in manufacturing for several j'ears. lie was the first cotton 
and woolen manufacturer in the State to shorten the hours 
of labor. lu 1873 he resumed the practice of his profession, 
at the same time taking an active part in politics. 

His political history embraces an election, on several occa- 
sions, to the Council, to the lower House of the General 
Assembly, and, in 1869, to the Senate, which office he re- 
signed January G, 1870. He was also Town Solicitor of Woon- 
socket for 1879-80. He was Chairman of the Board of 
Trustees of the Consolidated School District, and Chairman 
of the Board of Trustees of the Fire Corporation, as well as 
one of the Engineers of the Woonsocket Fire Corporation. 
He served on several committees, was Chairman of the 
Board when the transfer of the Fire Corporation was made 
to the town, in 18S4, and served on the committee for the 
erection of the Town As3'lum. 

Mr. Pond represented his party, and delivered an address 
on the occasion of the Garfield memorial services in Woon- 
socket, September 20, 1881. He was also on the committee 
to locate the Soldiers' Monument, Commissioner in the laying 
out of various highways, and Chairman of the committee 
appointed to superintend the construction of the Summer 
street school building. 

Mr. Pond was a candidate of his party for the office of 
General Treasurer of the State in 1880. He was re-elected 
first Councilman, and President of the Board, in June, 1887, 
but resigned the office to accept that of High Sheriff" of 
Providence county. He was a member of the Board of As- 
sessors of Taxes for 188G, 1887, and 1888. Mr. Pond drew 
up the original charter for the city of Woonsocket, and 
secured its passage, with slight changes. He was the candi- 
date for State Senator, in April, 1889, and elected the first 
Senator from the new city of Woonsocket. He was subse- 
quently re-elected. 




DANIEL EULLAHl) TOA'D. 



[ 323 ] 

He was elected Mayor of Woon socket in 1S89, bein^i: the 
second Mayor of the city, and the first Democrat to hold that 
office, and was re-elected and served in that position during 
1890, 1891, 1892, and 1893. His administration as Mayor was 
progressive and strong. He was a clear thinker, a logical 
talker, and the best presiding oifieer that the city of Woon- 
socket ever had. During his administration the sewerage 
system was inaugurated, the parks purcdiased, the electric 
street railway started, and a dozen other improvements begun. 

He was a Republican from the oi-ganization of the partj^ 
until 1872, since which time he had acted with the Demo- 
crats. 

He was a Commissioner from Rliode Island to the World's 
Fair, in Chicago, iu celebration of tlie four hundredth anni- 
versar3' of the discovery of America by Columbus. He was, 
at the time of his decease. President of the Board of Trus- 
tees of the State Institute for the Deaf. 

On August 31, 189G, he was appointed by Governor Lippitt 
a Commissioner fi-om Rhode Island to the Tennessee Centen- 
nial. He was a Director of the branch of the Old Colony 
Co-operative Bank, located in Woonsocket, and one of the 
Trustees. 

As a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, one 
of his last public acts in Woonsocket was, in the name of 
this organization, to present to the High School a copj' of 
Stuart's portrait of Washington. This was on Friday, June 
19. 

He was also a member of tlie Sons of Brown Society, and 
was the speaker at the banquet at St. James Hotel, in the 
city where he lived, and was always loyally interested in the 
progress of Brown and Brown men. 

Mr. Pond married Isadore Verry, only child of James 
and Nancy (Nolen) Verry. His widow and three children 
survive him. 



[ 324 ] 



ROBERT GRENVILLE BROWN, 
Died February 7, 1896. 

Robert Grenville Brown was born in Florence, Italj^ June 
17, 184(J, while his father, Nicholas Brown, was United States 
Consul-General at Rome. He first went to school in Italy, 
and the familiarity with Italian he then acquired was sup- 
plemented afterwards bj' a thorough knowledge of French. 
Early manifesting an inclination for military affairs, upon 
his father's return to this country, after a short period at 
C'harlier's School, in New York, he was sent to the military 
school at Eaglewood, at Perth Amboj', N. J. 

He studied law at the Harvard Law School, and was grad- 
uated in 1869. He also studied in the office of Samuel Cur- 
rey, Esq., in Providence, and was admitted to the bar in 1874. 
But his marked literary tastes and travels at home and 
abroad interfered with the active pursuit of his profession. 
He was an intelligent reader, and wrote many reviews of new 
publications for the Providence Journal. He became par- 
ticularly interested in the Napoleonic period and its litera- 
ture, and this love for militarj^ affairs led him to join the 
Providence Marine Corps of Artillery', in which companj- he 
became Junior Major, holding this position during the j'ears 
1871 and 1872. 

He served in the General Assembly, as a member of the 
House, from Warwick, during one j'ear. 

Alwaj's a staunch friend, he was generous and read}' to 
help those in need whenever he could, but his gifts were un- 
ostentatious and known only to the recipients. 

He married Elena Rhodes, June 17, 1895, and died Februaiy 
7, 1896. 

He was a charter member of this Societj% and was elected 
Secretary, June 4, 1892, holding this office one year, and being 
then Vice-President for the year 1893-4. He was entitled to 
membership by descent from Nicholas Brown, one of the first 




ROBERT GRENVILLE BROWN. 



[ 325 ] 

men in Providence to take measures against the imposition 
of unjust taxes and to protest against the unlawful acts of 
the British officers stationed here. He furnished munitions 
of war and assisted in raising troops for the Continental 
army. He was a member of the committee appointed by 
the Congress to build vessels for the Continental navy, and 
he served as a commissioner to adjust the accounts between 
this State and the United Slates. 

Amasa M. Eaton. 



[ 3l'0 ] 



REUBEN ALDRIDGE GUILD, LL. D., 
Died May 13, 1899. 

On the tliirteenth of May, 1899, Compatriot Reuben Al- 
dridge Guild was transferred from his temporar}^ assignment 
to duty here on earth to the permanent force with the Com- 
mander-in-Chief. For near]}' eighty years he was preparing 
for this change. Instantaneous obedience to every command 
was his ideal of life. 

Compatriot Guikl was born in West Dedham, now West- 
wood, Mass., on the ith of May, 1822. lie early showed a 
fondness for books, but did not begin his preparation for col- 
lege until after he had spent two years in business pursuits. 
At twenty-one he entered Brown University as a Freshman, 
and was graduated four years later as a Bachelor of Arts. 
He was very proud of his class, and never tired of speaking 
of his classmates, for whom he liad great affection. Immedi- 
ately upon graduation he entered the college library as an 
assistant, and a few months later, upon the retirement of the 
librarian, he was placed in charge. Here he remained until 
lS9o, when he resigned his active duties and was made Libra- 
rian Emeritus. It was to Brown L^uiversit}' he gave his life, 
and a more devoted servant it never had. Whether as the 
historian of his Alma Mater, the custodian of hei- books, the 
secretary of her alumni organization, or the editor of her gen- 
eral catalogue, he was always ready to speak in her praise, 
and to spend and be spent in her service. During the forty- 
six years he was actively connected with the library he was 
seldom absent from his post, and was always equally read}' 
to extend a greeting to the returning alumnus and to sym- 
pathize with and advise the undergraduate. 

As a librarian he was well known to the profession in this 
country. He was one of the few wiio were instrumental in 
bringing together the librarians in tiie first convention ever 
held by them, and one of the secretaries of the first meeting 




REUBEN ALDRIDGE GUILD, LL.D. 



[ :^27 ] 

of the American Library Association, of which, at the time of 
his death, he was an honorary member. He was also present 
at tlie first convention of the librarians of Eno:land. He was 
a prolific writer, and a complete record of all of his literary 
work wonld be too long for this place. The more important 
of this was concerned with the life of Roger Williams and 
the histor}^ of his beloved University. 

Compatriot Guild was of Scotch descent, John Guild, to 
whom he traced his origin, having come to this country from 
Scotland about 1630. He entered the Society of the Sons of 
the American Revolution through his great-grandfather, 
Major Aaron Guild, who was prominent in the Revolution, 
both as a member of the Committee of Safety and as a mili- 
tary man. It is worthy of mention that Major Guild was one 
of the first to take up arms, leaving his plow in the furrow at 
the first alarm, and hastening to Lexington, where he arrived 
in season to take an active part in the famous pursuit of the 
British forces. His other paternal great-grandfather, Benja- 
min Weatherbee, and his maternal great-grandfathers, Silas 
Morse and Ebenezer Pettee, each served in the Revolutionary 
army. With four such patriotic and worthj' sires, it is not 
surprising that our Compatriot and friend was always a faith- 
ful member of the Society of the Sons of the American Revo- 
lution. He was present at the first meeting called for the 
purpose of organizing a Chapter in Rhode Island, and be- 
came a charter member. He showed the great interest which 
he felt in the Society by the carefully prepared memorials of 
departed Compatriots which he contributed to its annals. 

True to the spirit of his ancestry, he was always interested 
in public affairs, and gave much unselfish thought and labor 
for the promotion of the best interests of the city of Provi- 
dence during the seven 3'ears he was a member of the Com- 
mon Council and the fifteen years he served upon the School 
Committee, of which body, for a long time, he was the effi- 
cient Secretary. In no way did he better show his fealty to 
the Spirit of '76 than when, in 1802, as Chairman of the 
Relief Committee, he so effectively planned and directed the 
work for aiding the families of our volunteer soldiers. 



[ 328 ] 

In the limited space assigned to this memorial it is impos- 
sible to recount all the deeds of the long and active life of 
this man. A devoted Christian, a true friend, a genial com- 
panion, firm in his own beliefs, but not uncharitable towards 
others, never failing in his devotions to duty, Compatriot 
Guild was a splendid example of what the sons of Revolu- 
tionary sires are doing to perpetuate the spirit of the fathers 
who sacrificed so much that liberty and righteousness might 
prevail. 

Nathaniel F. Davis. 



